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Hagan Supports Appeal for Federal Assistance in Western North Carolina In Wake of Devastating Storms, Floods

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan
U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan

Oct. 29, 2013. U.S. Senator Kay Hagan has sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate in support of the state of North Carolina’s appeal for federal assistance for Catawba, Lincoln and Wilkes counties. In July, devastating storms and floods caused millions of dollars worth of property damage, disrupted critical services, and washed out roads and bridges in the area. 

In September, FEMA issued a disaster declaration for parts of Western North Carolina, but denied the state’s request for public assistance for a number of counties because an initial assessment of the damages incurred failed to meet the threshold for receiving assistance. Subsequent assessments completed earlier this month identified additional damages that exceeded the required level, and the state appealed FEMA’s previous denial.

“These damages clearly exceed the state’s threshold and warrant a finding by FEMA that public assistance funds are necessary in response to these incredibly damaging storms and floods,” Hagan wrote to Administrator Fugate. “I firmly believe that additional assistance is necessary for remaining counties in the region. I respectfully urge you to make this declaration for Catawba, Lincoln and Wilkes counties to assist North Carolina to quickly and fully recover from the devastating storms and floods that impacted the area in July.”

Click here to read Hagan’s full letter to FEMA on behalf of Catawba, Lincoln and Wilkes Counties.