Perdue Praises Disaster Declaration

Governor Bev Perdue says she's thankful the White House moved quickly to send federal assistance to North Carolina. 

Right now residents of ten counties qualify for low-interest federal loans or FEMA grants to repair their homes and businesses. Governor Perdue says she could have asked that more counties qualify, but it would have taken longer for federal assistance to come to the state. 

 "There are so many communities that we know are absolutely badly hurt. It was my decision to do this expedited request to get money flowin' in and resources flowin' in for these counties."

Perdue says many other towns and counties that are not on this preliminary list will be added as the White House receives more information from Homeland Security and FEMA officials who are spread out across the state. Local governments in 18 counties will also receive federal financial help.