Updated to include comments from the governor
Several coastal counties affected by Hurricane Isaias July 31 to Aug. 4 now have access to federal disaster assistance.
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The major disaster declaration for the state was announced Wednesday by Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“This declaration from our federal partners will help us rebuild stronger and smarter, so our communities can recover from the damage done by Hurricane Isaias,” said Gov. Roy Cooper in a statement.
The funding is available to state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by severe storms and flooding.
Counties eligible for funding include Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender and Pitt.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
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Myra M. Shird has been named the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area and more designations could be announced if needed by the results of damage assessments.
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Aug. 3 near Ocean Isle Beach and caused major flooding in several communities. Four deaths were attributed to the storm that spurred several tornadoes, damaged water supply lines, roads and bridges and knocked out power to more than 375,000 homes and businesses.
Cooper previously signed a state disaster declaration for Bertie and surrounding counties and received a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration, after a tornado that spun out of Hurricane Isaias struck a neighborhood in Windsor on Aug. 4, according to his office. SBA low interest disaster loans and state individual assistance grants are available to residents recovering from that tornado.
