(RALEIGH) -- A joint legislative committee got an update on the state's progress in responding to last April's outbreak of deadly tornadoes. Emily Young, an assistant director with the state's Department of Emergency Management, said that since FEMA began offering assistance after last April 16th, many North Carolinians took advantage.

"9,785 individuals registered with FEMA for individual assistance," said Young. "5,164 were provided SBS loan applications and SBA provided $12.7 million in approved loans."

She added that damage estimates were quite high. "We estimated a little over $27.5 million in damages with the state's share being $6.9 million."

Much of the damage occurred in the agricultural sectors of the state with crop and livestock losses that farmers continue to recover from.