Governor McCrory Announces Federal Aid for Four More Counties | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: Stay connected to BCN for all of our many Hurricane Mathew updates.

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory this evening received a federal disaster declaration to help individuals in Bertie, Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties recover from the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew. Wilson County will also receive federal aid to help cover the costs for emergency response to the storm, as well as debris removal.

    "I am committed to doing everything we possibly can to help families and communities recover from the devastating impacts caused by Matthew," said Governor McCrory. "We appreciate the expedited federal assistance that will be critical to helping North Carolinians begin the long recovery process."

    With the addition of Wilson, 32 counties are now approved for federal funding to help augment the costs of responding to the storm; the declaration also helps to pay for storm debris removal. Counties approved in the original disaster declaration include: Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Lenoir, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Robeson, Tyrrell, Washington, and Wayne counties.

    Homeowners and renters in Bertie, Johnston, Wayne and Wilson counties are also now able to apply for federal assistance to repair or rebuild damaged homes. Those four counties joined the 10 that were approved yesterday which include: Beaufort, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, and Robeson counties.

    In addition, all 100 counties of the state will be eligible for funding to help mitigate future storm damage.

    Local and state emergency management officials are still conducting preliminary damage assessments in other storm-impacted counties in order to gather the necessary documentation to apply for additional federal assistance to help families and communities recover from the storm. Meanwhile, rescue crews continue to search for survivors, and utility crews work to restore power, clear debris and open roadways.

    For more information, go to ReadyNC.org or download the free ReadyNC app, which has real-time weather, traffic and shelter information.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov