RALEIGH - On July 1, 2024, Governor Roy Cooper signed a Type I state disaster declaration for the City of Marion in McDowell County following damages from a severe rain event that led to flash flooding on May 18, 2024. This declaration will make state disaster assistance available in the form of public assistance grants to the eligible local governments located within the emergency area.

“This declaration will help the City of Marion as the people and local government work to rebuild, recover and prepare for future storms,” said Governor Cooper.

The Governor’s Order authorizes state-funded disaster assistance in the form of grants for roads and bridges and emergency protective measures. This disaster declaration expires sixty days after issuance.

Local and state emergency management officials conducted joint preliminary damage assessments and determined that the City of Marion had incurred more than $10,000 in disaster-related damages from flooding, which exceeded one percent of its annual operating budget. Marion would not qualify for federal assistance based on the assessment.

Read the Executive Order here.