NC Gov Request Assistance

Gov. Bev Perdue requested financial assistance for residents and business owners in Halifax County who suffered damages from the severe thunderstorms and flooding that stuck last week.  Perdue sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting a disaster declaration for Halifax County. If approved, homeowners, renters and business owners could qualify for low-interest loans or grants to help them recover from last weekend’s floods.  While visiting the storm-damaged areas, Gov. Perdue signed a state disaster declaration. A portion of Interstate 95 was closed for several hours, more than 50 residents were sent to one of two local shelters, and flood waters seeped into Halifax Regional Hospital’s basement.  Halifax County and the Town of Gaston declared local states of emergency. If the federal government approves the governor’s request, it clears the way for SBA to provide low-interest loans to storm victims. The storms flooded dozens of roads and homes.