Governor Cooper Requests Federal Disaster Assistance for 21 Counties Hit Hard by Hurricane Michael

RALEIGH, North Carolina, Dec. 11 -- Gov. Roy Cooper, D-North Carolina, issued the following news release:

Governor Cooper today requested federal disaster assistance for 21 North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Michael in a letter to President Donald Trump.

"Tropical Storm Michael inflicted major damage to North Carolina at a time when it was already devastated by Hurricane Florence," said Governor Cooper. "Many people are suffering from the effects of Hurricane Michael and we want to get them the help they deserve."

Preliminary damage assessments conducted by the state and county governments found damages in excess of $22 million due to Michael, which hit North Carolina in early October after making a devastating landfall in the Florida panhandle.

Michael caused four deaths in North Carolina. The 21 counties included in the request for federal help received between four and nine inches of rain during a 24-hour period. More than 100 people were rescued from flash flooding and eight temporary shelters opened. Power outages affected 860,000 homes and businesses at their peak.

The 21 counties included in the request are Alamance, Brunswick, Caswell, Chatham, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Granville, Hyde, Iredell, McDowell, Montgomery, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Vance, and Yadkin.

* * *

To: The Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20500

Through: Ms. Gracia B. Szczech, Regional Administrator, DHS FEMA Region IV, 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA, 30341

Dear Mr. President:

Under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and, Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. * 5121-5207, implemented by 44 C.F.R. * 206.36, I request that you declare a major disaster for the State of North Carolina as a result of Tropical Storm Michael, which impacted the state from October 10-12, 2018. Tropical Storm Michael inflicted major damage on the state at a time when it was already devastated by Hurricane Florence, which impacted the state less than a month prior to Tropical Storm Michael's arrival. Damages from Tropical Storm Michael include impacts from torrential rainfall, high winds, and storm surge. Three deaths related to Tropical Storm Michael have been confirmed in North Carolina.

The state experienced severe flooding in the Western and Central counties; widespread power outages; and damage to roads and bridges, water control facilities, fire departments and other critical infrastructure. The main impacts of the storm were the result of widespread flash flooding and river flooding. Many rivers and streams crested at devastating levels, and there was a storm surge of three (3) feet on the inland sound side of Dare County. Many major and minor highways and roads were closed or partially blocked due to damages caused by flooding.

Strong wind gusts from Tropical Storm Michael led to the formation of a tornado in Guilford County, and tornado warnings were issued for two additional counties. Saturated soil brought down trees and power lines and led to roadway erosion. Major and minor structural damage has also been reported. The sustained wind speeds reached 60 MPH, with gusts above 70 MPH. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety reported power outages in excess of 600,000 customers throughout the state.

ACTIONS UNDER STATE LAW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

I am requesting that you declare a major disaster declaration for the following twenty one (21) North Carolina counties for Public Assistance:

Alamance, Brunswick, Caswell, Chatham, Dare, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Granville, Hyde, Iredell, McDowell, Montgomery, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Vance, and Yadkin.

I declared a State of Emergencyfor North Carolina on October 10, 2018. As part of that declaration and subsequent amendments, I directed the execution of the State Emergency Operations Plan, in accordance with Section 401(a) of the Stafford Act. The emergency area under the declaration included all North Carolina counties.

Based on the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center's forecast on October 9, 2018, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM) activated the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on October 10, 2018 and created a WebEOCevent. NCEM took proactive measures by reaching out to warn counties of the impending severe weather and inform them of the agency's readiness to assist with any support that may be needed as a result of Tropical Storm Michael.

NATURE AND AMOUNT OF STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES THAT HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE USED TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF THIS INCIDENT. (SEE ALSO FEMA FORM 100-0-13)

The NCEM Natural Hazards Branch Meteorological Team is still assessing the impacts of Tropical Storm Michael and will be creating full rainfall reports this week. Anticipated rainfall was between four (4) and ten (10) inches for Central North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. Preliminary rain accumulation records indicate the requested twenty-one (21) counties listed above received between two (2) and nine (9) inches of rain in a 24-hour period.

More than thirty (30) local governments issued states of emergency for their areas in response to the State and National Weather Services' warnings of dangerous conditions, and nearly thirty (30) Emergency Operation Centers were opened. Fourteen (14) shelters were opened to protect the people of the state, including the more than 100 individuals seeking assistance.

The American Red Crossprovided assistance,including food and distribution of emergency supplies, for fifteen (15) days during and after Tropical Storm Michael. Extraordinary efforts were taken to ensure the safety of the general public during the most dangerous hours of the storm. Included below is a small sample of the efforts that were made to protect lives and property.

Henderson County performed ten (10) water recues in response to flash flooding of Mud Creek and Upper French Broad River Basins. Lakewood RV Resort, also in Henderson County, was evacuated by water rescue teams to ensure the safety of the people therein. McDowell County dispatched a swift water rescue team to Mt. Hebron Road near Crooked Creek to assist a motorist trapped in a flooded vehicle and to evacuate a nearby building. A nursing home in Vance County was evacuated due to a large gas leak. The 911 Center in Haywood County used battery back-up power to perform its duties and calls were redirected after sixty (60) percent of the county experienced power outages. Sound-side storm surge and flooding in Dare County led to power outages for approximately 2,000 people and caused motorists to become trapped on roads and highways, requiring rescue. People were evacuated from low-lying areas of Dare County. In Iredell County, swift water rescue teams responded when residents became trapped by fallen trees and rising waters. Schools in Davie County sheltered in place, mostly without power. Emergency Operations in Davie County were suspended for a period of time due to the hazardous conditions. A person in Surry County was extricated from a vehicle that slid off the road into a creek and became pinned to a tree. Caswell and Rockingham Counties responded to a call from a motorist who was stranded on his vehicle, and swift water rescue teams were dispatched.

JOINT FEMA/STATE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

In addition to the above-described response operations, recovery activities have included state-only and Joint Federal/State Preliminary Damage Assessments(PDAs)for Public Assistance which were conducted between Monday, November 19, 2018 and Thursday, November 29, 2018. Both NCEM and FEMA staff were present for all county PDAs. All requested counties have met their minimum threshold for declaration, with a statewide total of $23,487,821. This amount exceeds the minimum state total of $14,303,224.50 by $9,184,596.50.

The PDA estimate for each category of work is as follows: Category A - Debris Removal = $4,788,751 (20.39%), Category B - Emergency Protective Measures = $630,009 (2.68%), Category C - Roads and Bridges= $6,047,555 (25.75%), Category E - Buildings and Equipment = $316,382 (1.35%), Category F - Utilities= $5,130,549 (21.84%), and Category G - Parks and Recreation = $6,574,574 (27.99%). The PDA total for all categories is $23,487,821. All twentyo one (21) counties participating in the PDA sustained significant damages with per capita impacts above the $3.50 threshold, and many counties had extremely high per capita impacts. The per capita impacts for these counties were as follows: Alamance ($6.88), Brunswick ($54.38), Caswell ($22.14), Chatham ($3.80), Dare ($26.02), Davidson ($13.48), Davie ($21.14), Forsyth ($4.83), Granville ($6.44), Hyde ($9.01), Iredell ($8.95), McDowell($5.59), Montgomery ($12.39), Orange ($5.18), Person ($28.60), Randolph ($7.73), Rockingham ($22.79), Stokes ($31.12), Surry ($9.28), Vance ($5.39), and Yadkin ($7.25). For each category of damage, insurance coverage was considered and estimates reduced accordingly, such that the reported PDA estimates include only uninsured losses.

DISASTER HISTORY

The State of North Carolina has a strong Division of Emergency Management, with both Individual and Public Assistance recovery programs; however, the state has been inundated with disasters, both Federaland State, that have strained its capabilities and resources. North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Matthew, which impacted more than half the state in 2016. More than fifty (50) of the State's one hundred (100) counties were included in a disaster declaration in response to Hurricane Florence in September of this year. The full extent of the damages caused by Hurricane Florence have yet to be determined. Mudslides,fires, and flooding have also been devastating to state resources over the past two years.

EVENTS:

a. Hurricane Matthew devastated more than half the state in 2016, resulting in a Stafford Act declaration requiring in excess of $100 million of state cost share for both Public and Individual Assistance.

b. In May 2017, a severe weather event with straight-line winds resulted in a US Small Business Administration (SBA) and State Type I Individual Assistance declaration for Sampson County. Estimated Cost - $650,000.

c. On August 16, 2017, a State Type I disaster was declared for the Town of Windsor in response to the effects of Tropical Storm Julia. Estimated Cost - $66,704.66.

d. On November 15, 2017, a State Type I disaster was declared for the City of Eden for a straight-line wind event. Estimated Cost - $186,301.

e. On November 22, 2017, a State Type I disaster was declared for Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Watauga and Wilkes Counties for flooding and heavy winds. This weather event also resulted in an US SBA disaster declaration. Estimated Cost - $87,084.

f. During Fiscal Year 2017 the state suffered two significant fires resulting in Stafford Act Fire Management Assistance Grant Declarations. Combined Cost Estimate - $858,992.29

g. On April 24, 2018, a State Type I disaster was declared for the Village of Cedar Creek and the Town of Tryon for the effects of Tropical Storm Nate. Estimated Cost - $44,410.69

h. The State of North Carolina is evaluating damage assessmentsfor a State Type I disaster declaration for four ( 4) towns affected by Tropical Storm Alberto, which caused flooding and mudslides in the western part of the state in May 2018. Estimated Cost- Not yet established.

i. Hurricane Florence was a historic storm that made landfall in the State of North Carolina on September 14, 2018. Both Individual and Public Disaster Declarations were issued. The extent of the damage is still being determined. Due to the size and severity of the storm, damages are more than was seen in Hurricane Matthew.

Central North Carolina has suffered devastating effects from Tropical Storm Michael that occurred during the period of October 10-12, 2018. Joint preliminary damage assessmentshave estimated Public Assistance costs in excess of $23.4 million reported to date, with the potential for additional damages still to be identified and reported. This PDA estimate exceeds the state threshold of $14,303,224.50 required for a major disaster declaration for Public Assistance under the Stafford Act.

The State of North Carolina respectfully requests consideration of a Presidential major disaster declaration due to severe weather impacts in the Central North Carolina counties that exceeded their per capita indicator as documented in the joint preliminary damage assessments.

I certify that for this major disaster, the state and local governments will assume all applicable non-federal shares of cost required by the Stafford Act.

I have designated NCEM Director, MichaelA. Sprayberry, as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessmentsand may provide further information or justification on my behalf.

I appreciate your support and recognition of the continued impacts of Tropical Storm Michael on the State of North Carolina.

Roy Cooper

RAC: kvt:wmp:swh

Enclosures:

Executive Orders No. 74 & 77, Local Emergency Declarations, FEMA Form 010-0-13, Joint FEMA/StatePDA Reports, Rainfall Reports NCEM.