N.C. GOV. DECLARES DISASTER:

North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley has declared a state of disaster and emergency for Bolton, Lake Waccamaw, Chadbourn, Tabor City, Fair Bluff and Whiteville due to a Jan. 26-27 ice storm. The towns qualify for a Type 1 Disaster Declaration and are eligible to receive state disaster aid in the form of grant assistance to make repairs on infrastructure and public facilities. Also eligible are the Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. in Columbus County and the Four County Electric Membership Corp. in Bladen and Columbus counties. Combined damages for the communities and two area electric co-operatives are estimated at $1,591,254. The state will pay 75 percent of those costs and the eligible entities will be responsible for the remaining 25 percent match. The Brunswick EMC reported estimated damages of $841,246, and Four County EMC had $405,467 in losses. Municipal estimated damage and recovery costs included the following: Whiteville, $136,038; Tabor City, $72,476; Chadbourn, $55,239; Bolton, $29,293; Lake Waccamaw, $26,150; Fair Bluff, $25,345.