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In the month since Hurricane Irene struck North Carolina, nearly $1 million a day in state and federal aid has made its way to help individuals and families recover from the storm. More than $29.9 million in disaster assistance has been approved to help speed recovery across the 35 counties designated for individual assistance in the disaster declaration.

October 31 is the deadline to apply for disaster assistance.

The recovery efforts include installing temporary housing units as a short-term solution for eligible survivors in communities with extremely limited rental resources. The two-bedroom and three-bedroom units come furnished and equipped with a stove, refrigerator, microwave oven, linens and basic kitchen equipment. Each unit is also equipped with a NOAA weather radio.

About three dozen temporary housing units are in place on survivors’ properties in Beaufort and Pamlico counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to assess the need for more temporary housing in other counties.Nearly 29,000 survivors have contacted FEMA for help or information regarding disaster assistance. Many people are seeking housing assistance from FEMA because their primary home has been damaged or destroyed. Other callers may be interested in disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling or legal aid.

Survivors who do not need FEMA disaster assistance or have additional needs are referred to partner agencies such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the Small Business Administration.

The following is a snapshot of the disaster recovery effort:

ยท 6,930 households have received FEMA grants to help pay for temporary housing and/or replace personal property.

$17.1 million approved for housing grants, including short-term rental assistance and home repair costs.

$3.4 million approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and lost personal possessions.

$9.4 million in low-interest disaster loans approved by the SBA.

20,143 home inspections completed.

11,950 visits to disaster recovery centers by people affected by the disaster.

19 disaster recovery centers open.

NEARLY 30 MILLION GOES TO HURRICANE IRENE SURVIVORS – Page 2

No matter the degree of loss or insurance coverage, survivors are urged to apply for help. They can use any of the following methods:

By phone, call 800-621-FEMA (3362) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Assistance is available in most languages. People who have a speech disability or are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585. Users of 711 or Video Relay Service can call 800-621-3362.

Online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Go to m.fema.gov with a tablet or smartphone.

Businesses that need help may contact the Small Business Administration directly at the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.