Town leaders back Gov. McCrory’s FEMA appeal

SURF CITY, NC (WWAY) — For one local beach town, the announcement that Gov. Pat McCrory will appeal the federal government’s decision to refuse aid for eight coastal North Carolina counties, is a welcome one.

That aid would help pay for damage caused by heavy rains and flooding in late September and early October. Twenty-two inches of rain fell from Oct. 2 and Oct. 5.

Following the flooding, Gov. McCrory requested a federal disaster declaration for some coastal counties after heavy rains damaged roads, beaches and infrastructure. Surveyors estimate the damage total to $31 million.

Surf City’s Tourism Director Allan Libby says the city budgets for storm damage but sometimes it’s not enough.

“We do set money aside for instances such as this, nevertheless when somebody is out there to help, it certainly helps us,” said Libby.