Source:   PRESS RELEASE, 4/20/11

Gov. Bev Perdue last night received a federal disaster declaration from President Obama for 10 of the counties affected by Saturday’s tornadoes and severe storms. The other eight counties that were damaged are expected to be added later once preliminary damage assessments are completed.

Overnight, the death toll from the storms rose as another victim in Bertie County was confirmed. This puts the official number of dead at 24, with 12 of those in Bertie County alone.

Governor Perdue gave an update of state and federal efforts during a press conference in downtown Raleigh this morning [note to press: the press conference will be available online soon.]. She reported the following updates from emergency assessments taking place around the state:
•         133 injuries;
•         439 homes confirmed destroyed, with that number expected to rise;
•         6,189 homes with some level of damage (5,000 reported in Wake County alone);
•         21 businesses destroyed, likely more to come;
•         92 businesses damaged, with that number expected to rise;
•         2,000 employees confirmed out of work because their place of business was destroyed or damaged (1,000 of those employees are at Static Control in Lee County, which was demolished) and that number is considered a low early estimate.

The federal declaration makes available low-interest loans or grants to storm victims to help them repair their homes and businesses in Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Wake, and Wilson counties.  Residents and business owners in the declared counties can apply for low-interest federal loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration in the following amounts:

•         Homeowners – up to $240,000 to repair or replace their homes and some personal belongings
•         Renters – up to $40,000 to replace personal belongings
•         Business Owners – up to $2 million for business property losses

Any who don’t qualify for loans may be eligible for an individual assistance grant from FEMA to help repair and replace personal property. Other relief programs include crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster, income tax assistance for filing casualty losses and legal advice. Citizens should contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or www.fema.gov.

Local governments who were affected by the storms will also receive federal financial help. Eighteen counties can expect federal funds to cover 75 percent of the cost to remove debris, provide emergency protective measures and repair infrastructure. State funds are expected to cover the remaining cost.

The Governor is still awaiting word on the state’s request for an agricultural disaster declaration from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. However, farmers who endured damage can immediately apply to two state programs at their county Farm Service offices – the conservation program, which can help farmers with debris removal so they can start planting again, and the livestock program, which will help farmers recoup losses such as livestock and poultry.

Gov. Perdue is deploying state resources in a variety of ways to help. Since Sunday, the Division of Prisons sent 155 minimum security inmates to pick up tornado debris in Bertie, Greene, Hertford and Robeson counties. (The inmate crews are minimum custody. They are screened to be allowed to work in communities and are supervised by correctional staff.) The Forestry Service, DOT crews, State Highway Patrol and other state agencies are helping with volunteers, vehicles, traffic control and other support. Corrections officials and probation officers have volunteered their time with local law enforcement agencies that needed assistance.

The governor urged North Carolinians to support each other and help the storm survivors in whatever ways they can.

The N.C. Disaster Relief Fund can accept monetary donations. The fund is managed by the Governor’s office in partnership with the United Way of North Carolina.  Donations are tax deductible and 100 percent of donated funds will go to survivors. To donate or get information about the fund, please go to www.ncdisasterrelief.org or mail donations to NC Disaster Relief Fund, Office of the Governor, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0312.
People who want to volunteer or donate goods can call the Governor’s Hotline toll free 1-888-835-9966. The hotline will be staffed daily from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

“North Carolina has taken a beating, but we are going to do what we are so good at doing – recover,” said Gov. Perdue. “Together – we will get through this, get our communities made whole, our businesses and people back to work, and we will keep North Carolina moving forward.”