Disaster Aid to NC Floyd Survivors Nears $1.2 Billion
Release Date: June 21, 2000
Release Number: 1292-187
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RALEIGH, N.C. -- Disaster aid to North Carolinians affected by hurricanes Floyd and Dennis has reached nearly $1.2 billion, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and North Carolina recovery officials said today.
In all, 86,954 people registered with FEMA to see if they were eligible for federal and state Hurricane Floyd and Hurricane Dennis disaster assistance in the 167 days the registration period was open - September 15, 1999 to February 29, 2000.
FEMA provided 37,995 households more than $87 million in Disaster Housing Program grants. Homeowners were provided either a grant to make the home livable, or to rent another place to live, while home repairs were made. Renters received a grant to rent another place to live.
Following the storm, North Carolina Emergency Management purchased 2,536 travel trailers and mobile homes for use as temporary housing for victims of the flood, placing more than a thousand of the units in group sites in Edgecombe, Pitt, Lenoir and Wayne counties. As occupants of the travel trailers and mobile homes found permanent housing they move out of the trailers, and, as of the end of May, the number of units occupied in the group sites dwindled to 651.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than 12,600 low interest disaster loans for more than $484 million to help homeowners, renters and businesses repair or restore disaster-damaged real or personal property. The SBA low interest disaster loan is the primary form of disaster recovery funding.
The state-administered Individual and Family Grant Program has provided 23,567 households with grants totaling more than $90 million to help with essential and necessary disaster related needs unmet by other programs.
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program paid 12,830 claims from Hurricane Floyd totaling more than $141 million. Flood insurance is the first line of defense in a flooding disaster. It must be acquired 30 days before the flooding event. Buy now for the next hurricane season.
The state-administered Public Assistance Program (for infrastructure repair) has obligated $235 million to reimburse eligible costs for disaster response and recovery expenses of governmental units and non-profits providing a government like service. FEMA funds 75 percent of these costs and the state funds the non-federal share.
The state-administered Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has approved nearly $147 million to acquire 1,679 structures in flood prone areas. FEMA funds 75 percent of these costs and the state funds the non-federal share.
The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program (DUA), funded by FEMA and administered the state, has paid more than 6,200 claims for a total of more than $6.4 million. DUA provides unemployment payments for up to 26 weeks for the self-employed, agriculture workers and other workers not covered by the regular unemployment program.
The FEMA provided more than $5.7 million to the state-administered Crisis Counseling Program to help North Carolinians recovery emotionally from hurricanes Floyd and Dennis. The program funds the Hope After Floyd outreach programs still active in 32 disaster declared counties.
"With the start of the new hurricane season June 1, now is the time to take steps to reduce damage from future events," said Eric Tolbert, director of the N.C. Emergency Management Division.
"Check you insurance policy to make sure you are covered for all events. Check your emergency supplies and replace those that are out dated or depleted. It is wise to maintain a three day supply," he added.
"Disaster preparation also is the goal of FEMA'S Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities," said Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Project Impact is an initiative to challenge the country to undertake actions that protect families, businesses and communities by reducing the effects of natural disasters through local public and private sector partnerships.
Project Impact communities in North Carolina are: City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, Town of Boone, Buncombe County and all incorporated municipalities, Lenoir County and all incorporated municipalities and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Dec-2003 08:36:49