WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Brock Long to support Governor Roy Cooper’s request to declare a major disaster declaration for the state of North Carolina as a result of the impacts from rain and flooding that occurred in western North Carolina from May 15, 2018 to May 31, 2018.
The rain event beginning on May 15 caused flash flooding and damage across several counties in western North Carolina through May 20. Additionally, the region was hit with Subtropical Storm Alberto from May 24 to May 31, causing further damage and the loss of five lives due to the combined accumulation of substantial and prolonged rainfall.
The Senators requested that the damage caused by both flooding events to be assessed based on the totality of the damage to ensure North Carolinians receive the federal recovery assistance they need.
“The heavy rainfall that occurred in Western North Carolina in May resulted in substantial damages for many North Carolinians,” said Senator Tillis. “As the region continues to recover, I join Senator Burr in urging FEMA to consider the entirety of the severe weather Western North Carolina received when deciding the appropriate federal recovery assistance required to help rebuild.”
“In May, western North Carolina was overwhelmed by back-to-back storms of flash floods and heavy rains,” said Senator Burr. “For the residents who weathered them, these storms weren’t individual rainfalls, but a major weather event from which they are still recovering. For that reason, I firmly believe that FEMA should consider both of these incidents and their aftermath as one disaster as it assists affected communities.”
Click HERE to read the letter.
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