North Carolina Public Agencies Sustained $51 Million In Hurricane Damage 

Release Date: October 16, 2003
Release Number: 1490-55

» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Isabel

Raleigh, NC -- Early requests estimating damage costs to North Carolina state and local governments and some nonprofit organizations for Hurricane Isabel top $51 million.

A total of $1.8 million in reimbursements has already been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for emergency measures and rebuilding infrastructure. (This is separate from the $23.4 million already approved for individuals.) FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program pays 75 per cent of the cost of restoring essential public facilities and services following a declared disaster. The state determines how the non-federal share (25 percent) is divided among the state and local governments and organizations.

Among the 295 requests are $18.7 million to cover outlays for debris removal, $5.8 million for emergency protective measures (immediate actions by police and public employees to restore order and protect critical facilities), and $24.7 million to restore or replace damaged infrastructure.

"These applicants have been hard hit by the extraordinary cost of restoring services and safeguarding the public," said Gracia Szczech of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), federal coordinating officer for recovery operations. "Public assistance steps in when these emergency expenses exceed the reach of local budgets."

Beyond emergency measures, PA cost-share grants help fund permanent repairs to roads, water control facilities, public buildings and utilities. Permanent work involves restoring infrastructure to its pre-disaster design and function. This could range from minor repairs to total replacement.

In making permanent repairs, cost-effective hazard mitigation measures may also be approved for protection against future damage. Examples include strengthening public buildings by installing hurricane straps or adding shutters, and widening culverts.

"Public Assistance helps to strengthen communities which do not have the means or resources to bounce back quickly from a natural disaster," said Dr. Kenneth B. Taylor, the state coordinating officer. "It reimburses local governments for costs they've had to expend because of a disaster and it allows them to plan for rebuilding with prevention in mind."

How the PA Process Works

To be eligible for PA grants, the cost to repair a particular site must exceed $1,000, the work must be required as a result of the hurricane, it must be located within the designated disaster area, and the repair or restoration must be the responsibility of the agency applying for the grant. Also, any available insurance is deducted, and the grants are given only if assistance is not available from any other federal agency.

Examples of eligible private nonprofit facilities are nonprofit electric and water utilities, custodial care facilities, medical organizations and educational institutions. Native American nations and organizations also are eligible recipients. Eligible nonprofits must hold current federal tax-exempt status, and some must initially apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Federal, state and local officials work together to make the process go smoothly. PA specialists contact organizations they think may be eligible for the program, and conduct a series of explanatory briefings across the state. The agency with hurricane damage then files a request for a grant, usually within 30 days of that county being designated as part of the disaster. An assigned PA team of federal and state coordinators holds a "kickoff" meeting with the applicant to discuss the damage and scope of work. They work with the applicant throughout the completion of the project.

Applicants have up to 60 days from the kickoff meeting to identify and report damage.

FEMA issues public assistance grants directly to the state, which reimburses applicants as "sub-grantees."

The 36 counties eligible for the full range of PA grants are Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Edgecombe, Franklin, Gates, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Person, Pitt, Tyrrell, Vance, Warren, Washington, Wayne and Wilson.

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.

For more information about hurricane preparedness and recovery and specific information about Isabel, visit the FEMA website at www.fema.gov.

Last Modified: Friday, 17-Oct-2003 07:43:35