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RALEIGH – Governor Roy Cooper has signed a state disaster declaration for counties that suffered damages from the tornado on August 4, making additional assistance available to residents there.

“[The] state disaster declaration provides more assistance for people whose homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed by the tornado that spun out of Hurricane Isaias,” said Cooper.

The Governor’s order authorizes state-funded individual assistance grants for affected residents from Bertie County and the contiguous counties of Chowan, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Northampton and Washington. This comes in addition to the low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that became available last week when it granted the Governor’s request for an SBA disaster declaration.

A disaster recovery center is open at the Bertie County Council of Aging, located at 103 School Street in Windsor, where storm victims from the aforementioned counties can apply for SBA Disaster Loans and state assistance. Those needing assistance should call 252-794-6144 in advance to make an appointment so that social distancing can be maintained inside the recovery center.

The Recovery Center hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Sept. 3. It is also opened Saturday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Residents may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ or via telephone at 202-803-3307 or 470-363-5936.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans are also available to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available to businesses regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.