Federal Disaster Funds Authorized For North Carolina To Aid Local Government Ice Storm Recovery 

Release Date: March 27, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-083

» More Information on North Carolina Ice Storm

Washington, DC -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that federal disaster funds have been made available for North Carolina to help communities recover from the effects of a crippling ice storm that struck the northern edge of the state late last month.

Michael D. Brown, FEMA director and under secretary designee for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, a part of the Department of Homeland Security, said President Bush authorized the aid under a major disaster declaration issued today following a review of FEMA’s analysis of the state’s request for federal relief. The declaration covers damage to public property from the storm that occurred February 27-28.

Immediately after the declaration, Brown designated nine counties eligible for federal funding to pay affected local governments 75 percent of the approved costs for debris removal, emergency services related to the storm, and the repair or replacement of damaged public facilities.

The eligible counties include Alamance, Caswell, Forsyth, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person, Rockingham and Stokes.

Brown said the declaration also makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks. He indicated that more counties and additional forms of aid may be designated later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Michael Bolch of FEMA was named by Brown to coordinate the federal relief effort. Bolch said that procedures for requesting assistance will be explained at a series of applicant briefings at locations to be announced shortly in the affected areas.

Last Modified: Friday, 28-Mar-2003 11:19:46