

FEMA has identified those homeowners who are eligible for the Step Program. Homeowners may have received phone calls, emails, postcards etc. This is not a scam and we urge you to contact the call center if you may have misplaced the information from FEMA. Eligible homeowners may also visit the application portal at www.ncstepflorence.com or call (833) 257-1100 Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
More information about the STEP program is available at www.ncdps.gov/florencestep.
You may also sign your Right of Entry form in CRAVEN COUNTY at the Judicial Complex, 1100 Clarks Road, New Bern on Wednesday, January 9th from 4-7pm
Once a homeowner completes the form, an inspector will visit the home to assess the damage. For homes confirmed eligible for STEP, the inspector will develop a repair plan. Depending on the level of damage, the repairs will be made by either a volunteer disaster relief group (NC Baptists on Mission or United Methodist Committee on Relief) or a professional contractor managed by the state.
Who is eligible?
STEP provides basic, partial repairs to make homes safe, clean and secure to help North Carolina homeowners with minor damage from Hurricane Florence get back in their home quickly.
Should I participate in STEP?
Press Release December 19, 2018
LEGAL AID NC
RALEIGH · December 19, 2018 – Pro bono attorneys will help Hurricane Florence survivors file FEMA appeals and reconsiderations at free Saturday clinics on Jan. 12 in New Bern, Feb. 9 in Wilmington and Feb. 23 in Morehead City. See sidebar for details.
Florence survivors have the right to appeal FEMA’s decision if it denied their application for assistance, or if they believe they are eligible for additional assistance. Survivors must appeal in writing – not by email – within 60 days of the date on their FEMA decision letter.
Survivors whose appeal has already been denied can still ask FEMA to reconsider its decision if they can present compelling new evidence, like a late-arriving letter from their insurance company, to support their claim.
Survivors who want to file an appeal or reconsideration can attend these clinics to learn more about their rights and get free help from a North Carolina pro bono attorney.
The clinics will start with an educational presentation given by an attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina, followed by confidential, one-on-one meetings with pro bono attorneys recruited by the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center and the North Carolina Bar Foundation. The clinics are funded by a grant from the North Carolina State Bar’s IOLTA program and coordinated by the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center.
At the clinics, the pro bono attorneys will help survivors figure out why FEMA made its decision and if they are eligible to file an appeal or reconsideration. For eligible survivors, the attorneys will help them prepare and send in their request.
Survivors must register in advance to meet with a pro bono attorney at no cost. Survivors can register for free at ncprobono.org/assistance. No registration is required to attend the educational presentation.
Survivors who register to meet with a pro bono attorney should bring with them all their relevant documents and a photo ID.
“You don’t need a lawyer to file a FEMA appeal, but having one definitely helps. The process can seem daunting, especially for those who are still struggling to recover. Having an expert by your side can take away a lot of that stress,” Lesley Albritton, head of Legal Aid NC’s disaster relief efforts, said.
“North Carolina lawyers have really stepped up to the plate to help Florence survivors,” Katherine Asaro, staff attorney with the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center, said.
“These volunteers will provide a service that is critical to helping survivors get back on their feet, and it’s one that many couldn’t afford otherwise. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity. We are also very excited about partnering with local community colleges on this project,” she said.
Media contacts
Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Learn more at legalaidnc.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center recruits, trains, supports, and promotes lawyers who provide pro bono legal services in civil cases to North Carolinians with unmet legal needs. Learn more at ncprobono.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
DISASTER CASEWORK TRAINING: This training will provide an overview of Disaster Case Management, an introduction of Disaster Casework and equip participants with a practical tool for canvassing impacted neighborhoods. Having volunteers with this training will enable CCDRA to move forward with screening of households and assessments of need. The full Case Management Training will be offered later in the Fall.
The training will be held Friday, November 9th and Saturday, November 10th 2018 in the Session House of the First Presbyterian Church, 418 New Street, New Bern, NC. The Session House is located to the right of the Sanctuary as you face the church from New St. The training on Friday will be from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Lunch will be provided on Saturday.
This is a free training. As a part of the training you will receive a CCDRA T-shirt, course materials and on-the-ground experience of the work in a neighborhood. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. (Donations toward the cost of the tee shirt would be appreciated)
Seating is limited, so please reconfirm or confirm your participation for both Friday and Saturday by return email to response2018@suddenlinknet with your name, t-shirt size, phone no. and mailing address.
Grace and peace,
John, Chair
NEED ASSISTANCE AFTER HURRICANE FLORENCE?
START WITH THESE STEPS
VISIT YOUR LOCAL CRAVEN COUNTY DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER
REGISTER with FEMA
1) New Bern at 710 Degraffenreid Avenue
(old Eckerd’s Building)
2) Havelock at 537 Hwy 70, Suite 103
OR Call 800-621-3362 (for Spanish PRESS 2)
Last Date to apply to FEMA is November 13, 2018
COMPLETE the SBA Loan Application at a Disaster Recovery Center
1) 710 Degraffenreid Ave – New Bern
2) 537 Highway 70, Suite 103 – Havelock
OR Call 800-659-2955
CONNECT with Crisis Clean Up
To connect with organizations who can assist with FREE Home and Storm Debris Clean Up
Call 800-451-1954/crisiscleanup.org
Last Date to request assistance is November 2, 2018.
CONTACT CCDRA
Craven Co. Disaster Recovery Alliance
Coordinating Long Term Recovery Efforts
www.CravenDRA.org
If you can volunteer, CCDRA needs you!
DO YOU NEED HELP? FREE SERVICE!
CRISIS CLEAN UP HOTLINE (OPEN TO ALL COUNTIES)
(800) 451-1954 To get your home registered with ALL groups in our area helping!
Or contact one of these organizations directly that are already here in our community:
ST. BERNARD’S PROJECT – REBUILD PROJECTS
TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH
1500 Kingdom Way, New Bern, NC
Phone: (707) 354-3382
TEAM RUBICON (VETERANS)
Phone: (252) 637-7283
SAMARITAN’S PURSE
Port City Community Church
2840 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28562
Phone: (252) 725-5802
NEW SONG UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (FREE TREE CUTTING SERVICE)
521 West Grantham Road, New Bern, NC
Phone: (252) 635-2621
CRAVEN COUNTY, NC
FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are Open in Craven County
NEW BERN, N.C. – FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the old Eckerd/Rite Aid store located at 710 DeGraffenreid Avenue in New Bern and in Havelock at the Old Rue 21 at 537 Hwy 70, Suite 103. The DRC serves as a one-stop location for citizens affected by Hurricane Florence to apply for disaster assistance and other benefits available to them through support agencies. Valuable state, local and federal resources will be provided at the DRC will be open until November 13, 2018. Call 800-621-3362 for days and times.
All homeowners, renters or business owners who sustained property damage as a result of Hurricane Florence are encouraged to register with FEMA in one of the following ways:
1. Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
2. Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (PRESS 2 for Spanish). Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may also call 1-800-621-3362. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 1-800-462-7585
3. Download FEMA’s mobile app
4. Visit the Disaster Recovery Center for help with registration, appeal and applying for SBA loan.
Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if you have registered with another disaster-relief organization such as the American Red Cross, or local community or church organization. For more information Craven County’s Hurricane Florence recovery efforts, visit the Craven County website at www.cravencountync.gov, on the Craven County Facebook page @cravencounty and the Craven County Emergency Management Twitter account @cravencountync. Visit the Craven County website to register to receive emergency notifications via text, email and phone calls through the CodeRed Emergency Notification System.
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CRAVEN COUNTY, NC
Hurricane Relief Resources
Updated 9/27/2018
Visit www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). You will need the following to apply for assistance:
General Info:
NC 2-1-1 is statewide information and referral source. If you need help in relief, rebuilding or recovery call 2-1-1 from your phone and explain the nature of your need.
CRAVEN COUNTY POD (Point of Distribution) – CLOSED 9/26/2018
CHRIST CHURCH in New Bern is setting up a computer lab for those with limited access to the internet
SHELTERS IN CRAVEN COUNTY AREA
– West NB Rec Center
– Vanceboro Farm Life Elementary
Please check online for availability and shelter needs: https://www.ncdps.gov/florence#shelters.
Showers:
Planet Fitness til 8 pm
YMCA til 5 pm
Info From RCS (Religious Community Services)
Posted on September 27, 2018
DONATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION UPDATE!! The Omega Center will be open for LIMITED hours Thursday and Friday of this week between 9-12. These hours will be reserved for larger organizations to pickup items for distribution in outlying areas. Our public distribution from the Omega Center has closed as county efforts have now shifted to building/renovation supplies. We are collaborating with a variety of area groups who will help us distribute the supplies we have on hand to those who need it most. Information about selected groups will be released as the list is completed. RCS will return to normal operating hours next week; although the Soup Kitchen is already OPEN for anyone in need of lunch this week. Located at 919 George Street. Please help us spread the word!
COMMUNITY MEALS:
Red Cross is cooking meals at all above shelters.
Southern Baptist Men and Disaster Relief is set up at Temple Baptist Church at 1500 Kingdom Way in New Bern with their largest feeding unit. They are feeding and will be doing recovery work (mud-outs/tear outs).
If You Want to Donate or Volunteer:
ONLINE GIVING: You can support efforts through online giving. Visit the following site to make a donation. ALL funds will be utilized for hurricane recovery efforts in our area:
https://www.unitedwaycoastalnc.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=23
ITEMS NEEDED:
– cleaning supplies (Clorox wipes, mops, buckets, bleach)
– baby wipes – bottled water
– blankets, sheets, pillows, towels (new or gently used)
– NEW underwear for men, women, children (adults in L, XL, XXL)
– NEW socks
– baby diapers, formula
– feminine products – deodorant
– grocery bags
– contractor bags for yard debris
– tape (electrical, duct and packing)
– TARPS
– Box fans
– Utility knives and leather works glove
– Hand sanitizer
VOLUNTEERS:
Samaritan’s Purse is in town and will be coordinating volunteer efforts for at-large community efforts (yard work, house cleaning, etc.) Contact information is available online at www.samaritanspurse.org. You can also visit them in New Bern at Port City Community Church located 2840 Neuse Boulevard behind Burger King and next to Rose’s. They help coordinate chainsaw work, mudding out houses using local volunteers.
RCS needs volunteers to help at the distribution sites. Call 252-368-6397.
Debris Removal:
Craven County Solid Waste at 252-636-6608.
Crisis Cleanup is setup and taking calls and requests on their website. The website is: https://crisiscleanup.org. Their phone number is: (800) 451-1954.
Crisis Cleanup is available in clearing debris from your property. Call 800-451-1954 to register for assistance.
Eight Days of Hope will be at Garber Methodist Church from September 23rd – October 20th, 2018. VISIT HERE for more information.
VISIT http://www.sbtdc.org/hurricaneflorence/
North Carolina’s leading resources for small and midsize businesses are collaborating with federal partners to provide recovery assistance to NC businesses impacted by Hurricane Florence. Assistance includes help with developing recovery strategies as well as access to capital needed to support immediate cleanup costs and longer-term recovery from physical damage and economic losses.
The National Hurricane Center is currently tracking Hurricane Florence. Even though Florence is weakening it is still a strong and dangerous storm.
Follow this link to stay up to date on #Florence and start preparing now.