By Michelle Bliss
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/whqr/local-whqr-985171.mp3
Wilmington, NC – More than 11,000 Hurricane Irene victims in North Carolina have registered for federal assistance. WHQR's Michelle Bliss reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has already dispersed $5.5 million across the state.
In addition to FEMA funding, individuals and business owners in more than 30 North Carolina counties are eligible for disaster unemployment assistance. Spokesperson Larry Parker says that, so far, about 50 people have filed claims with the North Carolina Employment Security Commission.
"Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster, those individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster those folks would qualify."
North Carolina's damage estimate from Hurricane Irene continues to grow. The latest count puts losses at more than $400 million, but North Carolina Division of Emergency Management Spokesperson Julia Jarema says that tally is expected to keep rising.
"We've got FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management teams out working in the field right now, trying to get a better idea of what those damage totals are going to be. And they are still going through the communities and still tallying those numbers. We really don't have a good, firm number at this point."
FEMA assistance is available to families and business owners in more than 30 counties across the state.
Disaster unemployment assistance is available within the WHQR listening area in New Hanover, Brunswick, Onslow, and Duplin counties. Call 1-866-795-8877 to apply by the first week in October.
To apply for FEMA funding, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit their website .
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