Approaching One Year, North Carolina Floyd Assistance More Than $1.9 Billion

Release Date: September 7, 2000
Release Number: 1292-188

» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Floyd & Irene

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A year after Hurricane Floyd struck North Carolina on September 15 and 16, federal and state disaster assistance provided to North Carolina residents has reached more than 1.9 billion dollars.

"Hurricane Floyd is the worst disaster to hit North Carolina in modern times," Gov. Jim Hunt said. "Our goal since the waters receded has been to create a new model for how fast and how thoroughly we can recover. In coordination with our federal and volunteer agency partners, we are on the right road. But we won't rest until all of our people are removed from harm's way, and until all of our displaced citizens are returned to safe, affordable housing."

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) commends the great strides North Carolina has made to recover from Hurricane Floyd," said FEMA Director James Lee Witt. "Much work remains to be done, however, and FEMA continues to assist the state to help its citizens fully recover and mitigate against future disasters."

The following is a summary of Hurricane Floyd recovery information:

More than 88,500 North Carolinians registered for the various forms of federal/state disaster aid during the 167-day application period which ended on February 29. North Carolina continues to accept applications for state-funded recovery programs. While applications for many state programs are tied to registration information victims gave to FEMA, the application period for state disaster assistance has not closed.
FEMA Disaster housing assistance checks totaling $88.5million have been issued to 38,061 households, helping individuals and families with rent or minimal home repair. The state of North Carolina has spend more than $218 million of $339.1 million allocated by the General Assembly in its ongoing program of direct housing assistance to victims. That money has gone to 12,535 recipients.
More than $48 million was spent by FEMA to house displaced flood survivors in 2,535 travel trailers or manufactured homes. The North Carolina Division of Emergency Management administers the temporary housing program.
Special grants of $92.1 million were provided to 23,873 households which were uninsured, had serious unmet disaster-related needs and did not qualify for loans.
Emergency assistance: More than $25.8 million was spent by FEMA for immediate disaster relief work by other agencies, such as rescue efforts, sheltering, supplying water, ice, generators, plastic sheeting and other emergency materials.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 12,863 in low-interest disaster loans amounting to $503 million for renters, homeowners, businesses and business economic injury losses.
More than $133.1 million has been obligated for federal/state reimbursement on a 75-25 cost share basis for the repair, rebuilding or replacement of publicly owned or essential facilities.
More than $143 million in claims has been paid by the National Flood Insurance Program to 12,843 North Carolinians who suffered flood losses.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, also called "The Buyout" program has thus far approved 2,074 flooded homes for purchase on a budget of $149.1 million. Projects that would buyout another 1,800 homes at 103.9 million await approval. Bought out homes will be demolished and the lots returned to green space. Building on buyout property will not be allowed in the future. The FEMA and state program, which is administered by the N.C. Division of Emergency Management, is the largest buyout program in the nation's history.
Under Governor Jim Hunt's leadership, the North Carolina General Assembly approved $836 million for the victims of Hurricane Floyd - the largest state-funded disaster relief package ever in U.S. history. Funds obligated so far include
$234.9 million for housing losses and counselors to help victims take advantage of state aid programs;
$18.2 million for businesses impacted by the storm;
$64 million for crop and livestock losses,
$7.1 million for farm structures and equipment
$1.5 million for Emergency Conservation Program buydowns
$4.4 million in aid to commercial fishing,
$2.8 million in aid to local governments for property tax losses
$232 million in state money to match funds from federal sources.
Unemployment assistance payments of $5.5 million were approved for 6,200 applicants who became unemployed or suffered loss of earned income due to the disaster.
FEMA provided more than $5.7 million to the state-administered Crisis Counseling Program to help North Carolinians recover emotionally from hurricanes Floyd and Dennis. The program funds the Hope After Floyd outreach programs still active in 32 disaster declared counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Farm Service Agency, has provided payments and loans of $93.5 million to help North Carolina farmers recover from Hurricane Floyd.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funded $5 million to clear Floyd debris clogged streams under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program through 42 contracts in 17 counties. NRCS also assisted with the disposal of 2.1 million dead animals immediately after Floyd flooding.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has committed to provide $38 million to the N.C. Department of Transportation for the clearing and repair of federal aid highways and bridges.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provided $25 million to provide rental assistance and construction of rental units and single-family homes.
President Clinton declared 66 North Carolina counties disaster areas in the wake of the storm. That declaration made governments, businesses and citizens with disaster-related damages eligible for federal and state disaster assistance.
Applicants who have questions about, or wish to update, their applications should call FEMA's toll-free Information Helpline -- 1-800-525-0321, (TDD-1-800-660-8005). The Helpline has already answered more than 391,000 calls for assistance on hurricanes Dennis and Floyd.

Last Modified: Thursday, 11-Dec-2003 08:35:39