Perdue, Bev. Press Release, 2010-10-04, Gov. Perdue Instructs Emergency Management Teams to Begin Immediate Assessment of Flood-Damaged Areas

Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center* Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 October 4, 2010 Contact: Chris Mackey Office: (919)733-5612 Gov. Perdue Instructs Emergency Management Teams to Begin Immediate Assessment of Flood-damaged Areas Assessment teams will determine what areas qualify for state, federal assistance RALEIGH - After touring Bertie and Craven counties yesterday and seeing the flood damage firsthand, Gov. Bev Perdue today instructed state Emergency Management teams to immediately begin conducting damage assessments of the 19 counties requesting federal and state assistance. On Tuesday, they will join local officials and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin a formal survey that will determine what areas qualify for state and federal funds. “As I stood in Windsor and Vanceboro, as I looked around eastern North Carolina and saw the flooding myself, I pledged to citizens there that we will help them in any way we can,” said Gov. Perdue. “First thing this morning I made the call to secure state funds to match any federal funds that are approved for qualifying counties. We are ready to help the people of eastern North Carolina as they begin to clean up, recover, and move forward.” During the next several days, state and federal emergency management teams will tour damaged areas in Beaufort, Bertie, Brunswick, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Duplin, Gates, Flertford, Hyde, Jones, Martin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender, Pitt. Tyrrell and Washington counties. Damage estimate totals are expected to be completed late this week. Once the assessment is complete, Gov. Perdue will request federal financial assistance for those counties that meet federal thresholds of eligibility. If the federal government grants that request, it clears the way for FEMA to provide low- interest loans or grants to storm victims. ###