2
North Carolina – Severe Winter Storm
FEMA-4167-DR
Declared March 31, 2014
On March 25, 2014, Governor Pat McCrory requested a major disaster declaration due to a
severe winter storm during the period of March 6-7, 2014. The Governor requested a declaration
for Public Assistance for nine counties and Hazard Mitigation statewide. During the period of
March 18-21, 2014, joint federal, state, and local government Preliminary Damage Assessments
(PDAs) were conducted in the requested counties and are summarized below. PDAs estimate
damages immediately after an event and are considered, along with several other factors, in
determining whether a disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is
beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments, and that Federal
assistance is necessary.
1
On March 31, 2014, President Obama declared that a major disaster exists in the State of North
Carolina. This declaration made Public Assistance requested by the Governor available to state
and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis
for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe winter
storm in Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Davie, Granville, Guilford, Orange, Person and
Randolph Counties. This declaration also made Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance
requested by the Governor available for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
2
Summary of Damage Assessment Information Used in Determining Whether to
Declare a Major Disaster
Individual Assistance - (Not requested)
Total Number of Residences Impacted:
3
-
Destroyed - -
Major Damage - -
Minor Damage - -
Affected - -
Percentage of insured residences:
4
-
Percentage of low income households:
5
-
Percentage of elderly households:
6
-
Total Individual Assistance cost estimate: N/A
Public Assistance
Primary Impact: Costs associated with Debris Removal
Total Public Assistance cost estimate: $26,964,133
3
Statewide per capita impact:
7
$2.83
Statewide per capita impact indicator:
8
$1.39
Countywide per capita impact: (Alamance County ($29.09), Caswell County
($24.44), Davidson County ($37.84), Davie County ($28.55), Granville County ($4.62),
Guilford County ($16.56), Orange County ($20.20), Person County ($13.52), and
Randolph County ($21.48).
Countywide per capita impact indicator:
9
$3.50
1
The Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) process is a mechanism used to determine the impact and magnitude
of damage and resulting needs of individuals, businesses, public sector, and community as a whole. Information
collected is used by the State as a basis for the Governor’s request for a major disaster or emergency declaration, and
by the President in determining a response to the Governor’s request (44 CFR § 206.33).
2
When a Governor’s request for major disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (Stafford Act) is under review, a number of primary factors are considered
to determine whether assistance is warranted. These factors are outlined in FEMA’s regulations (44 CFR § 206.48).
The President has ultimate discretion and decision making authority to declare major disasters and emergencies
under the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. § 5170 and § 5191).
3
Degree of damage to impacted residences:
o Destroyed – total loss of structure, structure is not economically feasible to repair, or complete failure to
major structural components (e.g., collapse of basement walls/foundation, walls or roof);
o Major Damage – substantial failure to structural elements of residence (e.g., walls, floors, foundation), or
damage that will take more than 30 days to repair;
o Minor Damage – home is damaged and uninhabitable, but may be made habitable in short period of time
with repairs; and
o Affected – some damage to the structure and contents, but still habitable.
4
By law, Federal disaster assistance cannot duplicate insurance coverage (44 CFR § 206.48(b)(5)).
5
Special populations, such as low-income, the elderly, or the unemployed may indicate a greater need for
assistance (44 CFR § 206.48(b)(3)).
6
Ibid (44 CFR § 206.48(b)(3)).
7
Based on State population in the 2010 Census.
8
Statewide Per Capita Impact Indicator for FY14, Federal Register, October 1, 2013.
9
Countywide Per Capita Impact Indicator for FY14, Federal Register, October 1, 2013.
