N.C. Victims of Frances Get Disaster Assistance

Only five days after President Bush declared 15 North Carolina counties disaster areas, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has disbursed $1,124,642 million to individuals who suffered damages from Tropical Storm Frances.

On Sept. 10, a disaster was declared in the mountains of western North Carolina following torrential rains and flash flooding brought by Tropical Storm Frances. The declaration made federal and state disaster funds available to individuals to cover housing and other serious disaster-related needs. The declaration also authorized the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide low-interest loans to eligible homeowners, renters, landlords, and businesses of all sizes.

“We are committed to providing disaster assistance as quickly as possible. This assistance is an important first step in the recovery process,” Justin DeMello, federal coordinating officer for North Carolina, said.

“Our top priority is getting people into safe and sanitary living quarters, so they can rebuild their lives,” Dr. Kenneth Taylor, director, N.C. Division of Emergency Management and state coordinating officer, added.