Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Cari Boyce
Date: December 11, 2002 Phone: (919) 733-5612
GOV. EASLEY SEEKS N.C. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SUPPORT FOR FEDERAL AID REQUEST
RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today held a telephone conference call with North Carolina’s Congressional delegation to seek their support and assistance in obtaining federal disaster aid. The Governor updated legislators on the current status of the recovery and urged a coordinated effort to obtain needed resources. The delegation members participating in the call pledged to support the State’s efforts to obtain aid.
"North Carolina is still in the midst of paying for the flooding from Hurricane Floyd, while in the middle of a drought that has severely impacted our agricultural industry," said Easley. "This most recent ice storm is stretching state and local resources.
"The local Departments of Social Services in the affected counties have been dealing with hundreds of poor people who were affected by the storm. In order to help these families, we need two things from the federal government - automatic replacement food stamp benefits and more crisis money for things like heating, wood, kerosene, and blankets.
“I am pleased that our Congressional delegation has pledged their support to bring needed resources to North Carolina. Many have already made phone calls and sent letters on the State’s behalf. Together, we will get the job done.”
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services sent a letter yesterday seeking a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow the state to replace food stamp benefits automatically. Currently, food stamp recipients must go to the local Department of Social Services and make a written declaration of their loss before they receive replacement benefits.
North Carolina’s crisis allotment for this year was $11 million, and much of that has already been spent. Some counties in the areas most dramatically affected by the storm have spent their entire allotment. For instance, Durham County had a $375,000 allotment, and it has all been spent.
On Monday, Easley asked the President to designate North Carolina a major disaster area so that the state would be eligible for public assistance to offset the expense of emergency response and debris removal. Preliminary estimates for recovery exceed $60 million. Six counties are still assessing damage.
The ice storm caused power outages numbered in excess of 1.7 million customers. As of this morning, 217,000 customers are still without power.
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