FEMA Region IV Office

Atlanta, Georgia

News Release

MORE THAN $2.8 MILLION APPROVED TO HELP TORNADO SURVIVORS

RALEIGH, N.C. – During the first week of the disaster response, more than $2.8 million in federal and state grants has been approved to help North Carolinians recover from April 16 severe storms and tornadoes.

“Our state Emergency Management, FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration are working together closely to help affected communities recover from the unprecedented tornado destruction,” said N.C. Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell.

Through Wednesday, April 27, 2011:

  • $2.1 million has been approved from FEMA's Individuals and Households Program for temporary housing and home repairs.
  • $700,000 has been approved in Other Needs Assistance, a joint state-federal program that helps replace personal property and pay medical, dental, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

Other figures:

  • 4,700 people have registered with FEMA for state and federal disaster assistance.
  • 2,100 damaged homes have been inspected by FEMA.
  • 2,600 loan packages have been issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan program. These loans are available to homeowners and renters as well as businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes.
  • 1,100 residents have visited disaster recovery centers operated jointly by FEMA and the State of North Carolina, with support from SBA.
  • More than 4,000 in-person contacts with residents have been made by state and FEMA Community Relations specialists, who continue to go door-to-door providing information in English and Spanish to residents, businesses and organizations. So far, they’ve visited 559 businesses, 67 community organizations and 175 faith-based organizations.

(MORE)

MORE THAN $2.8 MILLION APPROVED TO HELP TORNADO SURVIVORS – Page 2

  • 11 disaster recovery centers are open with state and federal recovery personnel and SBA disaster loan representatives to provide in-person help to North Carolinians. More centers are planned. Find an open disaster recovery center online at .

Individuals can register for disaster assistance with FEMA by going online to or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 800-462-7585.

For more information about this disaster, go to and .

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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