Governor Pat McCrory received a federal disaster declaration Tuesday night to help local governments in three more Western North Carolina counties recover from the severe flooding that occurred July 27.
Catawba, Lincoln and Wilkes counties can now seek federal funds to help pay for 75 percent of eligible infrastructure repairs, debris removal and emergency protective measures. Funds also are available to implement hazard mitigation measures statewide to strengthen infrastructure to prevent future storm loss.
“This declaration means that North Carolina will receive more than $10 million in federal aid to help these communities repair their public infrastructure,” Governor McCrory said. “These communities did a great job responding to the devastating floods and now we can help them recover financially.”
A series of severe thunderstorms and heavy rains dumped between 10 and 20 inches of rain over much of the foothills and mountains from July 3 through 27. The record-breaking rainfall damaged roads, bridges, culverts, public utilities, parks and even some schools in many Western counties.
Flood aid was approved last month for 13 other mountain counties for storm damages that occurred in early July. FEMA initially denied funding aid to Catawba, Lincoln and Wilkes because the two storms were considered separate incidents and the damages from the July 27 flooding did not meet the necessary threshold to qualify for federal assistance. The state appealed the decision to FEMA showing that damage estimates had exceeded the necessary threshold.
In a separate request earlier this summer, the governor sought and received federal aid specifically for families and business owners to help them recover from the flooding. Governor McCrory also provided state funds to help families recover from the flooding. Additionally, the governor requested and received federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help pay for road repairs and provide financial assistance for farmers impacted by the summer floods.
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Contact: Julia Jarema
Phone: 919-825-2270