Made up of state and federal emergency management officials accompanied by local volunteers, the teams are informing residents of aid made available to individuals and businesses as a result of the federal disaster declaration last Wednesday. Team members visited eleven churches in Avery county on Sunday and plan to visit Mitchell county churches Wednesday night. They plan to go door to door as needed in the coming week to speak to any residents that may not have been contacted. North Carolina National Guard members went door to door Sunday distributing information on how to register for federal aid by telephone. That effort will continue Monday.
Officials are concerned that elderly and shut-in residents get the message.
The teams are encouraging residents to begin the disaster recovery process by teleregistering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, even if they are not sure they will need aid. Those who do not register will not be able to receive federal help. The numbers will operate from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. eastern time seven days a week until further notice. All information taken on these lines will be kept strictly confidential.