GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES EXPEDITED ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley Friday announced that the federal government has granted his request for an expedited disaster declaration for 15 counties in the North Carolina mountains suffering damages from Tropical Depression Frances.

“Our request for an expedited disaster declaration has just been approved,” Easley said. “This is why we applied for the emergency declaration. It means we get the money and temporary housing in the state rather than having to wait two weeks. This will mean a lot to the people in the western counties.”

The 15 counties that the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted assistance to include Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga and Yancey.

An expedited disaster declaration makes assistance available directly to individuals who have home and other personal property losses. It also covers the cost of debris removal and emergency response for local governments.

On Thursday, Easley declared a state of disaster for all of North Carolina and asked the federal government for the expedited assistance for the 15 counties.

The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) continues to provide support and assistance to local communities. Swift water rescue teams rescued or evacuated more than 300 citizens while the floodwaters were raging. In addition, the National Guard, Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Transportation, Forestry, Emergency Medical Services and many other state agencies have their crews working throughout the damage area.

SERT also sent 20 truckloads of water to the Asheville area on Thursday and another 16 on Friday due to the rupture of major water lines making it impossible to transmit treated water. Currently work is under way to make repairs to the water system but citizens are advised to conserve water if they have it, boil it before use, or use bottled water.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are addressing environmental damage from wastewater discharges, floating fuel tanks and other contaminants.

Additional information on flood safety is available at www.nccrimecontrol.org/severeweather.  Flood recovery information is available at www.dhhs.state.nc.us/docs/hurricane.htm.  Specific road condition information is available at www.ncsmartlink.org or by calling 511.