For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
September 18, 2004
Statement on Federal Assistance for North Carolina
September 18, 2004
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of North Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Ivan beginning on
September 16, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the counties of Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell,
Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk,
Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey.
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 on a cost share basis to State
and eligible local governments in the counties of Avery, Buncombe,
Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell,
Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey for
debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct
Federal assistance. For a period of up to 72 hours, Federal funding is
available at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for debris removal
and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal
assistance.
Federal funding is available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures statewide.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Justin DeMello as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.
The Agency said that more counties and additional forms of
assistance may be designated as soon as damage surveys can be completed
in the affected area.
The Agency said that those who sustained losses in the counties
designated for aid to affected individuals and business owners can
begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362), or
1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The
toll-free telephone numbers will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven
days a week until further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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