KINSTON -- Governor Pat McCrory joined state, local and business leaders in Kinston today to tour the damage from Hurricane Matthew and to celebrate the grand reopening of Neuse Sport Shop just a week after the cleanup efforts began.

“I have seen the best of North Carolina in Kinston today as the community has come together as a team to help rebuild, reopen and recover from Hurricane Matthew,” said Governor McCrory. “The reopening of businesses in Kinston is a sign of our state’s resilience. We are doing everything we can to help people as quickly as possible.”

Governor McCrory thanked our federal partners for approving his request for both public and individual federal assistance for Lenoir County. Since the Expedited Major Disaster Declaration on October 10, the federal government has disbursed more than $50 million to disaster victims through the Individual Assistance Program.

As of yesterday, Lenoir County is one of 31 counties where residents impacted by the flood are eligible for disaster food assistance. Also, Governor McCrory initiated disaster unemployment assistance for residents in 20 counties, including Lenoir County, to help people who lost their jobs as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

One of the 12 federal Disaster Recovery Centers is now open in Lenoir County to help connect storm victims with federal benefits. Additionally, Lenoir County is one of nine counties eligible for FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance to help get people out of shelters and into temporary housing.
Looking forward, Governor McCrory said that the preliminary damage assessments are ongoing and will likely be complete next week. Also next week, the governor revealed that he and his team will outline a request for disaster relief legislation at the state and federal levels, which will include a projected timeline for a special legislative session.