Tillis & Burr Lead Congressional Request for Approval of Hurricane Dorian Major Disaster Declaration

WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 -- Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release:

Today, North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr and Representatives Richard Hudson, David Rouzer, G.K. Butterfield, George Holding, Virginia Foxx, David Price, and Mark Walker sent a letter to President Trump requesting that the administration swiftly approve Governor Cooper's request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

"As Members of Congress representing the people of North Carolina, we write in support of Governor Cooper's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of North Carolina under Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act for events occurring since September 5, 2019 for Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Hyde, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties," the members wrote.

"At the height of the storm 42 counties declared local states of emergency, with 2,200 residents in shelters, and more than 527 activated National Guardsmen. Additionally, at the storm's peak, more than 230,000 homes lost power as a result of numerous reported tornadoes and hurricane force winds that lashed our coast, coupled with catastrophic flooding due to storm surge resulting in flooding in sections of Southern Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands," the members continued. "Although the totality of devastation will continue to be evaluated, it is imperative that North Carolina has the resources now to begin the recovery process."

Full text of the letter to the President is below.

September 13, 2019

Dear Mr. President,

As Members of Congress representing the people of North Carolina, we write in support of Governor Cooper's request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of North Carolina under Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act for events occurring since September 5, 2019 for Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Hyde, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pender, Sampson, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties.

At the height of the storm 42 counties declared local states of emergency, with 2,200 residents in shelters, and more than 527 activated National Guardsmen. Additionally, at the storm's peak, more than 230,000 homes lost power as a result of numerous reported tornadoes and hurricane force winds that lashed our coast, coupled with catastrophic flooding due to storm surge resulting in flooding in sections of Southern Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. The storm surge inundation at Ocracoke was up to seven feet on portions of the island, damaging nearly 90 percent of island homes.

Although the totality of devastation will continue to be evaluated, it is imperative that North Carolina has the resources now to begin the recovery process. We appreciate the cooperation of FEMA as they work with North Carolina Emergency Management to complete preliminary damage assessments across the eastern part of the state, which may require the Governor to expand this initial request. We thank you for granting our advanced emergency declaration request on September 3, 2019, and we commend your administration for its diligence and assistance thus far.

We again respectfully request you approve this Major Disaster Declaration consistent with the intended purposes of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Stafford Act to allow our local and state officials, in coordination with federal partners, to begin rebuilding our great state.

Sincerely,

Thom Tillis

Richard Burr

Richard Hudson

David Rouzer

G.K. Butterfield

George Holding

Virginia Foxx

David Price

Mark Walker