Topics Related to Emergency Response

Free legal assistance is available to survivors in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties who were affected by Tropical Storm Fred.

Survivors facing disaster-related issues who cannot afford an attorney may call the Disaster Legal Aid hotline at 866-219-5262. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Extended hours on Monday and Thursday are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Apply for help online at www.legalaidnc.org/get-help/self-help-library/disaster-relief.

Survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud, scams or identity theft. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

Survivors should keep the following information in mind while FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other officials are on the ground.

In response to Tropical Storm Fred, Governor Roy Cooper issued a State of Emergency today to activate the state’s emergency operations plan and waive transportation rules to help first responders and the agriculture industry. 

“This state of emergency will allow our first responders to get into our affected communities quickly to save lives, restore power, remove debris and bring supplies,” said Governor Cooper. “North Carolina is strong and resilient, and we’re committed to helping people and businesses recover as quickly as possible.”

The State Emergency Response Commission will meet Friday, July 16.  Some members of the commission will attend in person at the State Emergency Operations Center and others will participate via video conference.The meeting can be viewed via livestream at ncdps.gov/news-conference.WHAT:  State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) Meeting. The 23-member SERC is responsible for protecting the state’s citizens and environment through effective emergency planning.

As North Carolina begins to feel the effects of Tropical Storm Elsa, Governor Roy Cooper and state emergency management officials are reminding residents to be prepared for possible power outages and to avoid driving through floodwaters.

“Residents and visitors to North Carolina should keep safety in mind as Tropical Storm Elsa passes through our state today,” said Governor Cooper. “Everyone should stay alert to rapidly changing weather conditions and have a plan should they need to move to another location.”

The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved $1,603,745 to help Beaufort County acquire, demolish and remove 19 residential structures that were flooded after Hurricane Florence in 2018. 

The structures are located within a Special Flood Hazard Area in Washington, N.C.  Once they are removed, the parcels will be converted to an open space in the natural floodplain. Purchase of the properties will also help the homeowners to relocate to an area where they won’t face an ongoing flood risk.  

The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved $1,345,667 to reimburse the Town of Oak Island for removing debris from public rights-of-way after Hurricane Isaías last year.

Funds for the project cover the townwide disposal of 49,373 cubic yards of vegetative debris, 13,021 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris, 2,575 hazardous hanging limbs and 34 leaning trees. FEMA’s share for the projects is $1,009,250 and the state’s share is $336,416. 

Governor Roy Cooper has signed a Type 1 State Disaster Declaration for the City of Marion and the Town of Lillington to help with recovery after storms hit the towns last year.

Lillington experienced damages from severe weather, heavy rainfall and flash flooding on August 6 and Marion experienced severe weather from the remnants of Tropical Storm Zeta on October 29.

“These local governments spent a great deal responding and cleaning up after these storms last year,” said Governor Cooper. “This declaration will help the towns recover the costs of that response.”

Governor Roy Cooper and officials at North Carolina Emergency Management continue to monitor the effects of the Colonial Pipeline shutdown on gas supply in North Carolina, remaining in close contact with Federal officials, and representatives in the petroleum industry.

Governor Roy Cooper reminds North Carolinians to make sure their families are prepared for the severe weather threatening a large portion of the state over the next 24 hours.

“With severe weather expected tomorrow, people should prepare to monitor emergency alerts and review their family emergency plan,” Governor Cooper said. “Everyone should pay attention to the forecast and remember to follow all recommended actions from their local public safety officials.”