In the wake of Hurricane Matthews, President Obama declared a “major disaster” for North Carolina. As such, on October 10, 2016, FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to residents of the State of North Carolina to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. Specifically, funding will be available to affected individuals in Beaufort, Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Hoke, Lenoir, Nash, Pitt, and Robeson counties. Assistance includes, among other things, grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

In addition, federal funding is available to state and eligible tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Lenoir, Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Robeson, Tyrrell, Washington, and Wayne counties.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can apply for assistance starting on October 11, 2016 by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).