Governor Josh Stein has declared Tropical Storm Chantal a Type I State Disaster in North Carolina, activating state-funded individual assistance grants for residents affected by the storm. The declaration comes as damage assessments show that public assistance damages have surpassed $42 million, more than double the threshold required for federal disaster aid.
“This disaster declaration unlocks access for people to apply for state-funded individual assistance as they continue to rebuild, and I encourage folks to see if the resources available are a good fit for them,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Chantal was devastating for central North Carolina, and initial damage assessments have made clear that a Federal Major Disaster Declaration is needed to help expedite federal aid for repairing roads and rebuilding critical infrastructure.”
Governor Stein has requested President Trump and Acting FEMA Regional Administrator Robert Ashe issue a Federal Major Disaster Declaration. This action would allow impacted local governments to receive federal support for repairing damaged infrastructure such as roads and utilities, as well as clearing debris through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
The areas covered under the Type I Disaster declaration include Orange, Durham, Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Granville, Person, and Wake counties. Residents in these counties may now apply for state-funded grants covering needs like temporary housing, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, medical or dental expenses, and funeral or burial costs resulting from the storm.
Disaster recovery centers have been established in affected communities:
– Orange County: 203 South Greensboro St., Carrboro
– Alamance County: 319 N. Graham-Hopedale Rd., Burlington
– Durham County: 221 Milton Rd., Durham
Each center operates weekdays and Saturdays with varying hours. Survivors seeking information about individual assistance can call the North Carolina Emergency Management hotline at 919-825-2378 or visit ncdps.gov/chantal.
Tropical Storm Chantal struck central North Carolina on July 6. Some locations received between nine and twelve inches of rain. Rivers such as the Haw River and Eno River reached record or near-record water levels. The storm caused significant damage across several counties including Durham and Orange counties—leading to six confirmed deaths and widespread destruction of homes and businesses. In response to flooding and other hazards from Chantal, local states of emergency were declared; first responders carried out water rescues; emergency shelters opened; and displaced residents were eventually relocated to hotels after all shelters closed by mid-July.
More details can be found in Executive Order 19: Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Durham, Orange, and Surrounding Counties (https://www.ncdps.gov/document/executive-order-no-19-disaster-declaration-individual-assistance-durham-orange-and-surrounding) as well as Governor Stein’s letter requesting federal disaster support (https://www.ncdps.gov/document/governor-steins-letter-president-trump-request-federal-major-disaster-declaration).
