The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of North Carolina and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, flooding, and straight-line winds associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole during the period of September 27 to October 1, 2010.

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in the counties of Beaufort, Bertie, Craven, Hertford, Onslow, and Tyrrell.

Assistance can include 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.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named W. Montague Winfield as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.

FEMA said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and additional counties may be designated for assistance after the assessments are fully completed.

FEMA said that residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-621-FEMA end_of_the_skype_highlighting(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-462-7585 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  FEMA (202) 646-3272 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (202) 646-3272 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.