FEMA in town to help prepare for natural disasters

Feb. 21-- Feb. 21--After Hurricane Florence and Tropical Storm Michael last year, many Lee County residents spent weeks, if not months, recovering from the power outages, flooding and property damage that resulted from back-to-back storms and record amounts of rain.

To help people prepare for the upcoming hurricane season and for future natural disasters, specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Service will be offering disaster mitigation tips at the Sanford Lowe's Home Improvement, 3015 S. Horner Blvd., through Feb. 27.

"It's not a matter of if another disaster is going to happen in Lee County, it's only a question of when," FEMA spokesman John Mills said Wednesday. "Taking steps to prevent damage before the next disaster helps communities recover more quickly. This is a good opportunity to get some tips that may be inexpensive ways to prevent future damage at your property and protect your family."

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day except Sunday, to answer questions about home repair, making disaster plans, creating supply kits and the importance of flood insurance, among other issues.

"We are doing this type of outreach in a lot of the counties that were designated for FEMA Individual Assistance following Hurricane Florence," Mills said.

In Lee County, almost $204,000 in state and federal grants was paid to 72 homeowners and renters as of December, according to FEMA. Eleven flood insurance claims were filed and an estimated $491,000 in claims were paid. Over 200 FEMA home inspections were completed.

FEMA offered similar Q&A events at home improvement stores in other affected counties through January and February and according to a release, will be offering more in the coming weeks.

Visit ncdps.gov/Florenceor FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393 for more information on North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Florence. Residents can follow state and federal disaster agencies on Twitter: @NCEmergency and @FEMARegion4.

Reach Staff Writer Jasmine Gallup at 919-718-1217.

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