Homeowners, renters and business owners in Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Lenoir, Jones, Robeson, Sampson and Wayne counties may now apply for federal disaster assistance for uninsured and underinsured damages and losses resulting from Hurricane Florence.
Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico and Pender counties were designated for Individual Assistance on Sept. 14, 2018.
To be eligible for federal disaster aid, storm damage and losses from the hurricane and flooding must have occurred as a result of Hurricane Florence, beginning Sept. 7.
If you have a homeowner’s or flood insurance policy, file your insurance claim immediately before applying for disaster assistance. Get the process started quickly, the faster you file, the faster your recovery can begin.
If you cannot return to your home, or you are unable to live in your home, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, or call 800-621-3362(800-462-7585 TTY) to determine if state, voluntary or local organizations are in your community to address your immediate needs.
If you can return to your home and it is safe, has working power, water, and sewer or septic service visit DisasterAssistance.govto determine if state, voluntary, and local organizations in your community can address any unmet needs.
Don’t be discouraged if you do not have access to telephone or internet service. Disaster survivor assistance specialists will soon be helping people register for assistance in designated counties.
Although the federal government cannot make you whole, it may help your recovery move forward by providing grants for basic repairs to make your home safe, accessible and secure. FEMA assistance may also provide temporary help with a place for you and your family to stay while you build your own recovery plan.
Long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) also may be available to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov or by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance or those who may be underinsured may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.
These counties were also designated for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program to reimburse the state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct federal assistance.