Gov. Cooper makes formal request to help counties pay for debris removal, protective measures

Following a request earlier this week for federal help for residents and businesses, Gov. Roy Cooper has asked President Donald Trump to issue a major disaster declaration so that counties can get help to pay for their costs associated with Hurricane Dorian.

Meeting with the President on Air Force One in Fayetteville, Cooper on Monday asked Trump to expedite a federal disaster declaration that will formally open the process to speed assistance for those who suffered losses.

But there has yet to be any movement on the governor’s request made earlier this week.

Trump issued a declaration before the storm made landfall on Hatteras Island that began the process for state and federal agencies to respond to the hurricane.

The request made Friday was on behalf of county and municipal governments in Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Hyde, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

The major disaster declaration would trigger the FEMA Public Assistance program, providing supplemental federal grants to local governments for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures and the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged publicly owned facilities and the facilities of certain private nonprofit organizations.

“Hurricane Dorian’s destruction disrupted life on North Carolina’s coast. These grants are designed to offer public assistance to get North Carolinians on the path to recovery,” Gov. Cooper said.

Click here to read the Governor’s letter.

The Public Assistance program also encourages protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process.

The federal share of assistance is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost.