FEMA to begin work next week

Vicki Hyatt, The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.
·4 min read

Sep. 10—A federal disaster declaration that came 22 days after Tropical Storm Fred unleashed its wrath has been a lively conversation topic, particularly since it came much later than two disasters that happened after the Aug. 17 event.

N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper submitted documentation on the storm's damages on Aug. 27 after having state employees on the ground to help with damage assessments. The White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency acted on the declaration request for seven Western North Carolina counties Sept. 8.

The N.C. Emergency Management is the state's liaison agency that helps communities work through the disaster application. Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead, Haywood County manager, said agency officials have been invaluable in the storm's aftermath in helping the county get damage totals that had to exceed $15 million to even be eligible for federal help.

"They are experts in this area and we're very fortunate to have their help," Morehead said.

In North Carolina, N.C. Emergency Management helps government entities work through the complicated federal process to get a disaster declaration, including ensuring there is proper documentation of damage assessments.

Two individuals from the agency were onsite in Haywood the day after the storm and didn't leave until after the disaster declaration was declared.

The declaration means there can be federal reimbursement to county and state governments and some nonprofit organizations for much of the cost to respond to the storm and repair damaged infrastructure. This includes federal reimbursement for debris removal as well as search and rescue operations, hazardous material clean up, meals, generators, fuel and more, according to a news release from the governor's office.

"N.C. Emergency Management has been vital to the success we've had here," said Morehead. "From the swift water rescue teams to picking up debris and all the help linking us to resources we were unfamiliar with, they have been great partners."

Morehead said he understands why many have been frustrated with the timeliness of the disaster declaration, but noted the request encompassed more than just Haywood and requires multiple steps to ensure nothing is left out as damage assessment documentation is compiled.

As of Friday, FEMA representatives were in the courthouse and putting a field team together, he said. There were more than 400 applications for assistance already in the pipeline as of Friday afternoon, and Morehead said plans are underway for FEMA to begin meeting with folks next week.

While the FEMA declaration referenced individual help, Morehead said the U.S. Small Business Administration was in Haywood two weeks ago, something he viewed as an indication that businesses that were flooded will also have help.

The county has also been working with representatives from the emergency watershed protection program to get debris removed from the streams, something Morehead estimated could take a couple years.

"This is not an overnight fix," he said of digging out from the disaster. "We're in this for a long time."

Keith Acre, spokesperson for N.C. Emergency Management, said a disaster recovery center will open in each of the affected counties in the next week. In addition to representatives on hand to help homeowners and renters, there will be a representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration on site to help business owners. The location of the Haywood site has not yet been finalized.

The Small Business Center is opening a Business Recovery Center to help small businesses that have been affected by Tropical Storm Fred. Business owners can stop by from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, at the Haywood Community College Regional Hi Tech Center room 3021.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Fred dumped up to 11 inches of rain in the upper Cruso area along the Pigeon River, resulting in devastating flooding, landslides and the death of six individuals.

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time seven days a week until further notice. Businesses can go to disasterloan.SBA.gov.