NC Helene Disaster News from Governor Cooper, President Biden

[littlemissmartypants]

Gov. Cooper outlines massive recovery efforts in NC mountains after devastation from Helene
by: Sanika Bhargaw

Posted: Sep 28, 2024 / 10:42 PM EDT
Updated: Sep 28, 2024 / 11:19 PM EDT

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper spoke to CBS 17 Saturday evening as massive recovery efforts from Helene continued across the western part of the state. As of Saturday night, 10 people in North Carolina have died because of the storm.

Helene devastated the western part of the state, flooding roads and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power. Crews are still working to rescue people and the state is sending supplies west by air. On Saturday night, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funds available.

Gov. Cooper said emergency management agencies are working 24/7 to coordinate recovery efforts and get people the help they need.
“Our priority has been to get people out and to get supplies in,” he said.

The governor said over 30 swiftwater rescue teams are on the ground in the western part of the state. Since Thursday, swiftwater and helicopter rescue teams have rescued more than 200 people.
Snip...more...
https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/gov-cooper-outlines-massive-recovery-efforts-in-nc-mountains-after-devastation-from-helene/
###
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves North Carolina Disaster Declaration

Briefing Room
Presidential Actions
Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of North Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement State, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Tropical Storm Helene beginning on September 25, 2024, and continuing.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Finally, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Mr. Thomas J. McCool of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Damage assessments are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT [phone] OR [e-mail].

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/09/28/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-north-carolina-disaster-declaration-3/
###