Damage From Hurricane Irene

Four more North Carolina counties have been declared federal disaster areas, bringing to 13 the number of counties that are eligible to receive federal assistance in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

Currituck, Pitt, Onslow and Washington counties were added to the list today, according to Gov. Bev Perdue's office. Residents and business owners who experienced storm-related losses in the 13 counties may be eligible for low-interest loans or grants to help rebuild. On Wednesday, President Barack Obama granted a disaster declaration for seven counties: Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Dare, Hyde, Pamlico and Tyrrell. Lenoir and Halifax counties were added Thursday.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration provides two types of assistance following natural disasters; individual assistance for families and businesses, and public assistance for local governments.

The state has received a disaster declaration that makes 20 counties eligible for public assistance. The counties are: Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Dare, Duplin, Edgecombe, Halifax, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Tyrrell and Wilson.

Local governments in those counties can seek federal help with the costs of storm response, debris removal and infrastructure repairs.