Source: PRESS RELEASE, 8/27/21 Today, Governor Roy Cooper requested that President Biden
issue a federal major disaster declaration following Tropical Storm Fred for
western North Carolina counties that suffered extensive damages from flooding
and landslides. “The people of Western North Carolina took a devastating
blow from Tropical Storm Fred’s flooding,” said Gov. Cooper. “Federal
assistance is needed to help rebuild and become more resilient ahead of future
storms.” The Governor requested the Individual Assistance program to
support homeowners and renters in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties
and the Public Assistance program to reimburse costs for repairs to public
facilities and infrastructure in Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Madison,
Transylvania, Yancey and Watauga counties. If granted, the Individual Assistance program provides
financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households
affected by disaster. Public Assistance provides reimbursement to local
governments and publicly-owned utilities for the costs for debris removal,
life-saving emergency protective measures and the repair, replacement or
restoration of disaster-damaged publicly owned facilities and the facilities of
certain private nonprofit organizations. Five people died as a result of the storm and one person
remains missing. Damage assessment is still underway, but so far damages
are estimated to exceed $20 million to infrastructure alone across the western counties. Read the Governor’s request letter HERE. |