Easley, Michael. Press Release, 2005-05-20, Gov. Easley Extends Operation Brighter Day Application Deadline: Nearly 1,900 Applications Have Filed For Disaster Assistance Statewide Since Program Began

Michael F. Easley Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Jill Warren Lucas Date: May 20, 2005 Phone: 919/733-5612 GOV. EASLEY EXTENDS OPERATION BRIGHTER DAY APPLICATION DEADLINE Nearly 1. 900 Applications Have Filed for Disaster Assistance Statewide Since Prosram Besan RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Operation Brighter Day will extend its application deadline to June 17 to allow storm victims more time to apply for 2004 hurricane disaster assistance programs. “I want to be sure that everyone who still has uninsured losses from these stonns has time to apply for all available aid programs,” Easley said. “That is why we are extending the application deadline another three weeks.” Hurricane victims can submit one application to cover all available individual assistance programs at Recovery Application Centers (RACs), which are located in N.C. Cooperative Extension Service centers in each of the 50 disaster-declared counties covered by the Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005. So far, nearly 1,900 applications for individual assistance have been filed at RACs or by calling the Governor’s Hurricane Recovery Bilingual Hotline toll free at 1-888-835-9966 (TTY, 1-877-452-2514). Between April 22 and close of day Thursday, 1,868 applications had been received from people living in the 50 disaster-declared counties. This includes 585 requests for housing damage, 613 for damage to private driveways and bridges, and 670 for agricultural loss. For a county-by-county breakdown of the number of applications filed, visit www.OperationBrighterDay.org. Contact information for local RACs can be found online at www.ces.ncsu.edu/counties. Applications also may be filed by calling the Governor’s Hurricane Recovery Bilingual Hotline between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. ### NOTE: The new Operation Brighter Day logo is available on the program’s website: www.OperationBrighterDay.org. Governor's Press Office State Capitol. Raleigh, NC 27603-8001 (919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005 FAX (919) 733-5166