Governor McCrory Applies for Federal Disaster Declaration | Eastern NC Now

    News Release:

Seeks Funds to Defray Cost of Storm Debris Removal

    Raleigh, NC     Governor Pat McCrory requested a federal disaster declaration today to help nine central North Carolina counties recoup some of the costs associated with recovering from the most recent winter storm.

    On March 6 and 7, a half-inch of ice, sleet and freezing rain fell on top of several inches of snow throughout the Triad and along the Virginia border counties. Heavy winds compounded the winter storms effects, toppling thousands of trees and knocking out power in much of central North Carolina for several days. Local, state and federal emergency management staff spent last week surveying storm damage to determine if there was enough destruction to warrant possible federal aid.

    The damage assessment teams found enough damage to request assistance for Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person and Randolph counties.

    "We've seen more than our fair share of winter storms this year, but this snow and ice brought down more trees and power lines than any other storm we've experienced in the past decade," said Governor Pat McCrory. "I commend our local emergency management teams and first responders for their tremendous response during the storm. Now it's our turn to help communities recover from the devastating costs associated with this ice storm."

    Governor McCrory has requested the federal funds to defray storm response and recovery costs in three categories. Damage assessment teams estimate the ice storm response and recovery cost state and local governments $26.9 million.

    If the governor's request is approved, federal money could pay up to 75 percent of the costs of emergency protective measures, repairs to local electric cooperatives infrastructure and tree and limb debris removal. Initial reports estimate between 750,000 to 1 million cubic yards of debris needed to be removed from personal and public properties in the nine requested counties.


    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov