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Tuesday, November 18, 2008 10:44 AM Local areas may get federal aid Easley tours By Antonio Velarde | Times Staff Writer KENLY - Gov. Mike Easley's office announced late Monday that areas of Wilson and Johnston counties devastated by Saturday's tornadoes might qualify for federal disaster relief after all. Following a morning press conference, where Easley told reporters that the homes damaged and destroyed would likely only receive state and local grants, the governor's press office said late Monday that the completed initial damage assessments indicated that possible federal aid could be received as well. Seth Effron, deputy press secretary for Easley, said the findings appear to require the U.S. Small Business Administration to make a disaster declaration for the area. The declaration could qualify people to get low-interest loans to help with damage repair. Effron said if the areas qualify, the state could make the request for Johnston County, with Wilson County as a contiguous county. Effron also had updated numbers for damage in both counties following the initial assessment that was completed Monday afternoon. In Wilson and Johnston counties, the cost of debris removal was estimated at $250,000 for each county. In Wilson County, 23 homes were destroyed or damaged, and three businesses suffered major to minor damage. In Johnston County, 25 homes were destroyed or damaged, with five businesses suffering major damage. He added that in Wilson County, 20 people were displaced by the storm, all of whom are staying with family and friends. In Johnston County, 18 people displaced by the storm were staying at local hotels. During the Monday morning press conference, Easley had told reporters it was likely the area would only receive local and state money, though he did stress this was contingent on the damage assessment completion. "More than likely, it will require state funding and not federal," Easley said at the Kenly Fire Department. Easley said under one type of state grant, counties with at least 25 homes damaged would receive funds to cover 40 percent of those costs. Another grant would allot $28,000 per home to be used to cover real or personal property losses. There is also a Governor's Assistance Fund, he added, that is used during hurricanes and other natural disasters. He added that the state and local agencies will also try to help those displaced from their homes. Easley at the time also said he did not have concrete numbers on damage costs. "At this point we just have to get the numbers in and see what we can do," he said. He said that in addition to the damaged homes, there is also some infrastructure and other municipal damage, including some Wilson Energy infrastructure damage. The storms that moved through the area spawned five tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service. The two most damaging hit the Kenly-Lucama area and the London Church Road area. Easley spent the earlier part of the morning flying over the affected areas in the two counties by helicopter, and did not meet any of the victims. He said he did not plan on going to the recovery sites so he could stay out of the way of the local and state damage assessors. He warned local residents to avoid the affected areas, as there are still problems with downed power lines and debris that could cause potential harm. Easley urged residents to pay attention to NOAA weather radio warnings, and said obtaining a weather radio could be a valuable tool. avelarde@wilsontimes.com | 265-7868 |
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