FEMA Offers Repair, Rebuilding Advice at Robeson, Lenoir, Dare County Home Improvement Stores

DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 9 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

As North Carolinians repair or rebuild their homes damaged by the flooding that followed Hurricane Matthew, FEMA and home improvement stores in Robeson, Lenoir and Dare counties have teamed up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand next week to answer questions and offer home improvement tips along with proven methods to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters as well as offer tips and techniques to build hazard resistant homes. Most of the information and the free publications provided are geared for do-it-yourself work and general contractors.

Recovery topics to be covered include flood insurance, elevating utilities and rebuilding flooded homes.

FEMA advisors will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13 through Saturday, Dec. 17 at Lowe's Home Improvement at the following locations:

Robeson County

5060 Fayetteville Road

Lumberton, NC 28358

Lenoir County

4489 Hwy 70 West

Kinston, NC 28504

Dare County

1500 N. Croatan Hwy

Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Free reference booklets with information on protecting your home from flood damage will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

North Carolina survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (Option 2) for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Specialists can help with service claims, provide general information regarding policies and offer technical assistance to aid in recovery.

For more information on North Carolina's recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4285 and readync.org. Follow FEMA on Twitter at @femaregion4 and North Carolina Emergency Management @NCEmergency.

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