Hurricane Isabel Update
Release Date: September 22, 2003
Release Number: 1490-05
» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Isabel
Raleigh, NC - Four days after President Bush declared 26 North Carolina counties a major disaster area due to Hurricane Isabel's destructive winds and rain the first disaster assistance checks have been mailed.
State and federal disaster officials said $134,574 in assistance has been approved and $107,390 is already in the hands of residents to help with disaster housing and other needs not covered by insurance.
Here is a disaster assistance summary to date provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Emergency Management Division.
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More than 3,400 residents in the declared counties have telephoned FEMA to register for assistance. The toll-free number is 1-800-621 FEMA (3362). Persons with speech or hearing impairment should call 1-800-462-7585.
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Damage assessment teams are working throughout the disaster area to determine the continuing needs of residents and businesses for temporary housing, emergency power, roofing, water and ice. Other teams are visiting local governments to assess disaster-related costs for such needs as debris removal.
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Teams of FEMA/State community relations officers are going door-to-door in the disaster area to deliver information on assistance directly to residents.
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Some 68,000 meals have been served to displaced families.
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An estimated 83,000 utility customers are still without power, down from a peak of more than 650,000 initially.
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Medical teams have been sent into the disaster area to assess the impact on public health.
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An eight-person medical strike team responded to the need for acute medical care in Columbia, in Tyrell County.
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More than a dozen disaster recovery centers (DRCs) will be established at critical locations in the declared counties to help those who have registered for assistance check their requests and learn what help is available. Four are opening Tuesday in Kill Devil Hills, Washington, Columbia, and Swan Quarter.
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Temporary ferry service has been initiated between Hatteras Island and Stumpy Point.
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Some 125,000 pounds of ice provided by FEMA are being distributed in Plymouth, Roper and Creswell in Washington County.
- For the next seven days 200,000 pounds of ice and ten truckloads of water (180,000 liters) will be shipped daily to Rocky Mount.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 23-Sep-2003 10:53:10