McCrory calls special session for Hurricane Matthew aftermath

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Gov. Pat McCrory has officially called for a special legislative session later this month to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in October.

Gov. McCrory made the announcement during the fifth and final meeting of his Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee today in Lenoir County. The special session is scheduled for Dec. 13.

“Now that we have received input directly from the communities most impacted by Hurricane Matthew, I am officially requesting that the legislature convene for a special session to address these important needs as quickly as possible,” McCrory said, according to a news release from his office. “I want to thank the communities for their feedback and the members of the committee for their tireless work to help North Carolina recover. While this is the final regional meeting, our work the help those in need is far from complete.”

According to a news release, McCrory also announced that he signed Executive Order No. 117 yesterday, to allow for the expedited movement of manufactured housing for those forced from their homes by Hurricane Matthew. The order waives certain size and weight restrictions and registration requirements to ensure the homes arrive to those who need them as quickly as possible.

Currently, residents of Bladen, Columbus, Edgecombe, Harnett, Hoke, Johnston, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson and Wayne counties are eligible for manufactured housing as a temporary solution while they repair their storm-damaged homes. More storm-affected counties may be added soon, enabling more people access to this option for temporary housing.

The governor’s office says Hurricane Matthew caused an estimated $2 billion in economic damage in North Carolina. Earlier this month, the governor submitted a formal request for more than $1 billion in federal assistance and laid out a timeline for a request of additional recovery funding from the state.