Washington, D.C. - North Carolinians affected by severe storms should be aware of local, state and federal resources as disaster recovery operations proceed. On April 19, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of North Carolina triggering the release of Federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Information on the disaster declaration and assistance programs is provided below. FEMA has extended the disaster assistance registration period through July 5, 2011.

-FEMA Extends Disaster Registration Deadline to July 5 (link)

HOW CONSTITUENTS CAN REGISTER FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE:

• Telephone—1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY (800) 462-7585 for individuals with speech or hearing disabilities.

• Internet—They may apply for disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

• Smartphone—The mobile website m.fema.gov allows the public to easily access disaster-related information directly on their smartphone. The site also includes a registration form that the public can fill out to apply for disaster assistance after a Presidential declaration.

TYPES OF FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE AND DESIGNATED COUNTIES

Individual Assistance: Assistance to individuals and households (this can include temporary housing assistance for eligible applicants such as rental assistance and repair assistance so constituents are encouraged to register with FEMA as quickly as possible). Designated Counties: Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Wake, and Wilson.

Public Assistance: Assistance for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. Designated Counties: Bertie, Bladen, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wake, and Wilson Counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

Hazard Mitigation: Assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards. Designated Counties: All counties in the State of North Carolina are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Tax Relief: Victims of severe storms, tornadoes and flooding on April 16, 2011 in parts of North Carolina may qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service. Individuals who reside or have a business in the following counties declared federal disaster areas may qualify: Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Wake and Wilson. The IRS is postponing until June 30 certain deadlines for taxpayers who live or have a business in the disaster area. This includes the April 18 deadline for filing 2010 individual income tax returns, making income tax payments and making 2010 contributions to an individual retirement account (IRA). In addition, the IRS is waiving the failure-to-deposit penalties for employment and excise tax deposits due on or after April 16 and on or before May 2, 2011, as long as the deposits were made by May 2, 2011. More information is available on the IRS website here.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the State and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

-FEMA Blog: Aftermath of Severe Southern Storms – Supporting our State and Local Partners

-Immediately After a Disaster

-Recover and Rebuild

-Disaster Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

Donate or Volunteer to Help

Report a Disaster-related Scam to the North Carolina Department of Justice

File a report by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM, or via the NCDOJ Online Complaint Form. Also see the NCDOJ's tips to consumers on avoiding post-storm scams.

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