RALEIGH, NC (WFMY) - Damage assessment teams are checking out western North Carolina this week to survey the destruction caused by last week's mudslides caused by heavy rain.
Teams will make assessments to see if any state or federal aid could be available to help those hit hard by the storm. The federal government would determine whether or not areas qualify for federal disaster recovery funds.
“Western North Carolina has been pummeled by relentless rain in the past two weeks with many areas getting nearly two feet of rain,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. “We know it will take these communities time and support to recover, and experts are on the ground now to survey the damage and see what help is needed.”
PHOTOS | Flooding in Western NC Causes Havoc
Two died in Boone after a home collapsed last Wednesday. A mudslide closed portions of I-40 east of Asheville and triggered evacuations of Old Fort and a community near Lake Tahoma in McDowell County. A State of Emergency was declared for several western NC counties.
Local officials made damage assessments last weekend while state and local emergency managers met Monday to discuss the damage assessment process. Tuesday, teams comprised of local, state and federal emergency managers will canvass impacted communities to survey damages. The teams expect to complete their assessments next week.
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