President Declares Disaster Area

President Obama has declared disaster areas in central and eastern North Carolina. Residents in 18 counties can apply for disaster relief funds today on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website. 

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler toured several eastern counties yesterday to get a handle on the damage. He says most of the damage was to infrastructure, equipment and livestock. And that will be expensive for farmers to replace.

Steve Troxler: There are small business loans, low interest loans available and disaster loans available, but having been a farmer, I know that when you go through something like this probably a loan is not going to help you a tremendous amount because you've already lost so much. The payback capability is not going to be great so we need some real help.

A federal disaster declaration makes affected farmers become eligible for grants to restore their operations.