Recover and Rebuild
North Carolina Emergency Management works with local, state and federal groups, as well as non-profit and volunteer groups, to help people and areas recover from disaster.
The first step in recovering from a disaster is to call your insurance company. Utility companies will work hard to restore the power, water and gas services.
The Individual Assistance program helps those families and singles whose homes have been damaged or destroyed by a storm to get safe, decent and clean housing. People who become unemployed because of the disaster or who need low-interest loans to replace vital items can also get help. This program also can help small business owners to restore their properties.
The Public Assistance program works with local governments to clear debris along the roads. It helps to fix public infrastructure after a disaster. It takes the whole community to recover from a disaster. Learn what your role is and how you can help.
Assistance Resources
If you are a homeowner or renter whose home has been damaged in the storm, resources are available to help you recover. Assistance may come from any number of organizations, including those relying on volunteers. These organizations provide food, shelter, supplies and assist with cleanup efforts.
NC 2-1-1
An information and referral service, NC 2-1-1 is a public information portal for residents to obtain real-time communications and resources related to the disaster.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
In severe disasters, FEMA may provide support to individuals and families with temporary housing, counseling and other assistance. FEMA grants may help you make basic repairs so your home is safe, sanitary and secure. FEMA will provide information through the media and community outreach about federal assistance and how to apply.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
In times of disaster, the SBA offers low-interest loans for businesses, homeowners and renters. There’s no obligation to accept a loan, but you may miss out on the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds if you do not submit an application.
Fraud Alert
Survivors should be aware of fraud and scams and report any suspicious activity or potential fraud from scam artists, identity thieves and other criminals. Submit complaints to NC Department of Justice by visiting website or calling consumer hotline toll free within North Carolina at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or (919) 716-6000.
Types of Housing Assistance
If a federal disaster declaration is declared and federal assistance for individuals becomes available, survivors who sustain damage to their primary residences may be eligible for one or more of the following FEMA housing solutions:
Offers temporary financial help so disaster survivors have somewhere to live while they make plans for permanent housing.
Who may be eligible? A homeowner or renter whose primary residence is determined to be uninhabitable after a FEMA inspection, who has housing needs not covered by insurance and who needs to relocate while repairs are under way.
Pays room and tax costs at participating hotels for disaster survivors.
Who may be eligible? A survivor whose primary home is uninhabitable or inaccessible due to the disaster and who has housing needs not covered by insurance. Survivors do not need to wait for FEMA housing inspection to be considered eligible.
Helps disaster survivors make basic repairs so that their homes are safe, sanitary and functional.
Who may be eligible? A homeowner whose primary residence is found to be uninhabitable after a FEMA inspection and who has a housing need not covered by insurance.
Provides temporary travel trailers or manufactured housing units to eligible survivors.
Who may be eligible? Trailers and manufactured housing units are a temporary solution for survivors whose primary home is uninhabitable, have uninsured housing needs and have no other practical temporary housing options available within a reasonable commuting distance from their primary residence. Renters whose pre-disaster rental is determined to have major damage or is destroyed may also be eligible.
Steps to Business Recovery
Contact your Insurance Carrier and File Your Claim If you are leasing business space, ensure that your lease owner has contacted their insurance carrier. Take pictures of the damage.
Register with FEMA Once a federal disaster declaration has been made for your area, contact FEMA to report any loss. FEMA will take your information and provide you with a registration number.
Contact the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). EPDNC small business advisors are ready to answer your questions. All inquiries will receive a response from a business counselor within three business days.
Visit the Business Recovery Website The Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) will provide updates on disaster declarations and services available to businesses.
Talk with a Confidential Business Counselor One-on-one counseling assistance is provided by the SBTDC or Small Business Center Network (SBCN). Counselors can help assess financial impact, reconstruct financial statements, evaluate options with creditors, prepare loan applications and more. 800.258.0862
Apply for a Business Recovery Loan Options include: NC Rural Center’s Thread Capital Rapid Recovery Loan (supports small businesses/ family farms). U.S. SBA Disaster Loan (low interest loans for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits).
Consider Unemployment Claims & Benefits If you’re not eligible for unemployment insurance, you may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). DUA provides temporary payments to those in federally declared disasters whose employment has been lost or interrupted. Business owners that are self-employed, farmers or commercial fishermen who are unemployed as a direct result may be eligible.
Utilize the NC DOA HUB Database. The NC Department of Administration Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) database offers information for those seeking qualified vendors. This resource provides opportunities to both serve as or procure the services of a contractor and is widely used to locate historically underutilized businesses for goods, services and construction.
Disaster Recovery for Farmers
When disaster strikes, knowing how to find needed resources in a timely manner is crucial to a farmer’s continuity of operations and ability to fully recover. The following steps can speed the recovery process:
Document
Insurance companies, FEMA, Farm Service Agency (FSA) and other agencies from which you may qualify for assistance will require documentation of damages following a disaster. Be sure you have receipts for all business purchases. Take photos of damage and provide written documentation before clean-up or repair begins.
Assess Operating Needs
Whether you raise livestock and need to assess waste management and feed supply status, or you raise crops and grain-bin ventilation has stopped, situational awareness will be crucial to your continuity of operations. For production issues that require immediate remedy, contact your county Cooperative Extension agent or the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS).
Contact Appropriate Agencies Immediately
Each assistance program has a deadline, some of which come very quickly following a disaster. NCDA&CS and Cooperative Extension personnel can help keep you informed of any state level assistance programs for which you may qualify.