(Source: High Point Enterprise)By Paul Johnson, High Point Enterprise, N.C.

Apr. 8–TRIAD — Property owners in High Point and Davidson County who suffered damages from the March 28 tornadoes will be eligible to receive state disaster relief assistance, Gov. Beverly Perdue’s office announced Thursday.

Perdue issued a state disaster declaration for Davidson and Guilford counties to help pay for home repairs for families who incurred damage from the three tornadoes. Two tornadoes struck parts of Davidson County, while one cut through sections of north High Point.

The state disaster declaration means residents who suffered qualified losses can receive grants to help cover housing repair or replacement costs, as well as to pay for replacement clothing and medical expenses. The maximum eligible amount is $29,900 per applicant, the governor’s office reports.

The governor’s office also requested and received a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration, which makes low-interest loans available to help pay for repairs. The SBA disaster declaration allows low-interest federal loans of up to $240,000 to homeowners and up to $40,000 to renters, the governor’s office reports.

Anyone who doesn’t qualify for the loans may be eligible for a state individual assistance grant, according to the governor’s office.

“These were damaging storms that impacted hundreds of families in the Triad area. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure that those residents who suffered losses from the storm will qualify for some type of financial assistance if they need it,” Perdue said.

The governor’s office announced that more than 460 homes were deemed to have qualified as damaged in the two counties, making them eligible for assistance. Damage assessment teams determined that 40 homes were destroyed. In addition, three businesses were destroyed and 18 more damaged, the governor’s office reports.

High Point City Manager Strib Boynton said city officials appreciate Perdue’s quick response. “It will speed up the process of making financial assistance available to the families,” he said.

Boynton said local officials are awaiting a decision from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on direct federal relief aid.

pjohnson@hpe.com — 888-3528

Disaster relief loans

State Emergency Management officials will be available from today through April 15 to meet with tornado victims and help them complete state disaster relief loan applications. Disaster recovery centers will be open 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, except Sunday, in the West Jefferson Government Complex at 555 W. Center St. in Lexington and at Fire Station 12 at 4538 Barrow Road in High Point.

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Copyright (c) 2010, High Point Enterprise, N.C.

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