Governor Pat McCrory’s Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee held its fourth regional meeting today in Pitt County, where it discussed topics such as relief efforts, community outreach assistance and plans for long-term recovery for the communities affected by the storm.
During the meeting the governor announced that six more counties, Bladen, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Pitt and Sampson, now qualify for temporary housing assistance through the federal government. Columbus, Edgecombe, Robeson and Wayne counties previously qualified for temporary housing assistance on November 3. That means that manufactured housing units will be available for owners and renters whose primary residences were severely damaged or uninhabitable and who meet program eligibility requirements.
"These meetings are crucial in connecting decision-makers with those on the ground who are providing resources," said Governor McCrory. “This committee continues to work hard to ensure that everyone affected by this storm is heard from, especially in Pitt County, which was one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Matthew.”
The governor addressed those in attendance and members heard updates on the status of the ongoing recovery efforts in the area from N.C. Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry and representatives from FEMA. The committee, which is chaired by the governor's Chief of Staff Thomas Stith, also took comments from the public to gain an understanding of the continuing needs in Pitt County and the surrounding region.
To date, $79.9 million has been distributed to over 75,000 qualified individuals affected by Hurricane Matthew throughout the state, including $1.8 million for individuals in Pitt County.
The committee has one additional regional meeting, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, December 2 at the Waller Building on the campus of Lenoir Community College in Kinston.
Governor McCrory announced today that after the last regional meeting, he will submit proposals to the North Carolina General Assembly to address in a special session likely to be held during the second week of December. The governor stated that his major goal in the short term is to help people affected by the storm, especially during winter months.
Governor McCrory announced the formation of the Committee in late October, and convened the first meeting in Raleigh on November 1. Initial assessments estimate Hurricane Matthew caused $2 billion in economic damage. Earlier this month, the governor submitted a formal request for more than $1 billion in federal assistance and laid out a timeline for a request of additional recovery funding from the state.
The governor is encouraging individuals and groups to help in the relief efforts by making a financial or other contribution. Monetary contributions to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Matthew can be made by texting NCRECOVERS to 30306 or by visiting NCDisasterRelief.org. This is one of the best ways to help fund long-term recovery efforts.
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