RALEIGH, N.C. — Three months after Hurricane Irene struck North Carolina, survivors have received more than $67 million in state and federal disaster assistance.

More than 35,000 survivors contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people have sought housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home was damaged or destroyed. Other callers may have been interested in disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling or legal aid.

Survivors who did not need FEMA disaster assistance or had additional needs were referred to
partner agencies such as the North Carolina Baptist Men, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Small Business Administration.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort:

  • 8,890 households received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing and/or replace personal property.
  • $25 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home
    repair costs.
  • $5.5 million approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and
    dental expenses and lost personal possessions.
  • $36.9 million in low-interest disaster loans approved by the SBA.
  • 27,170 home inspections completed.
  • 17,666 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.
  • 190 temporary housing units installed.
  • $3.8 million in Disaster Unemployment Assistance to 827 claimants.

In addition, $13.7 million has gone to North Carolina from FEMA Public Assistance, a cost-share reimbursement program in which FEMA pays 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects and the state pays the 25 percent nonfederal share. This federal funding goes to local governments, state agencies and eligible nonprofit organizations for emergency measures, debris removal and repair and replacement of public facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene.

Individual Assistance and Public Assistance totals are updated daily on the FEMA.gov website. Go to Disasters & Maps, then Declared Disasters & Emergencies, then number 4019.

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.

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=59717