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(RALEIGH) -- The death toll in North Carolina from weekend tornadoes is now 24, according to Gov. Beverly Perdue. She updated storm recovery efforts at a press conference Wednesday morning.
The governor said 133 people suffered serious injuries. "We know that we have about 440 homes that are totally destroyed at this point in time," said Perdue. "That number will likely go up as we continue the assessment." She said 6,189 homes sustained significant damage.
The other toll is on businesses and the people who work at those businesses. "We know that there are 21 businesses that have been totally destroyed and 92 more businesses have been badly, badly damaged. We have thousands of employees in our state who are out of work this week and several thousand will be out of work long-term," added Perdue.
As the recovery effort continues, some have the assurance that federal money is on the way. President Barack Obama declared North Carolina a disaster. This clears the way for federal aid for affected counties. Obama's declaration means federal funding will be available to individuals impacted by the weekend tornadoes in Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Wake and Wilson counties.
State Senate Democrats say North Carolina should provide relief above and beyond federal disaster relief. Republicans also hinted they would support the idea, although neither side offered specifics. Senator Ed Jones represents Bertie County where half of the total deaths occurred. Senator Jones said many there have lost what little they did have. "The children today who do not have a home to say in...you have people wondering around their yards trying to find birth certificates and insurance policies, the ones that do have insurance. And you see people all over the place asking, how can you help me, can you help me," said Jones.
Gov. Perdue commended state agencies that have worked so hard during these initial days of the recovery effort. She said North Carolina's reaction team is again the talk of the nation.
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