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Press release from the office of Gov. Pat McCrory, shared Feb. 12:
RALEIGH – Today, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting a disaster declaration for residents and business owners in Watauga County who suffered damages from the severe thunderstorms and flooding that stuck Jan. 30. If approved, homeowners, renters and business owners could qualify for low-interest loans to help them recover from the winter flooding.
Local and state emergency management teams surveyed the damage last week and met with SBA staff last Friday to continue damage assessment. Teams looked at more than 35 flooded homes and businesses in Watauga County to determine what may qualify for funding assistance.
If the federal government approves the governor’s request, it clears the way for SBA to provide low-interest loans to storm victims. The SBA is the agency that can provide low interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses that suffered damage from the storms.
The massive thunderstorms that rolled through the state Jan. 30 brought torrential rains and flooding to the mountains. Valle Crucis received nearly 3 inches of rain, while Deep Gap saw 3.7 inches and Boone got 5.3 inches of rain. Watauga County declared a local state of emergency that same evening.
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