Executive Order 19: Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Durham, Orange, and Surrounding Counties

August 5, 2025

Executive Order No. 19 
Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance for Durham, Orange, and Surrounding Counties

Whereas, the North Carolina Emergency Management Act, Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes, authorizes the Governor to issue a disaster declaration for an emergency area as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.3(7) that has been impacted by a Type I, Type II or Type III disaster as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.21(b); and 

Whereas, on July 6, 2025, Tropical Depression Chantal (“Chantal”) entered North Carolina and caused several EF-1 tornadoes as well as both flash and riverine flooding; and 

Whereas, Chantal inflicted significant damage to Durham and Orange Counties and the surrounding areas, resulting in major flash and riverine flooding that led to six confirmed storm-related deaths and extensive destruction to numerous homes and businesses; and  

Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.20, the Governor declared a state of emergency for Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Randolph, and Wake on July 16, 2025; and 

Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.22, Alamance, Moore, Person, and Orange counties declared local states of emergency on or about July 6, 2025; and 

Whereas, due to the impacts from the severe weather, local, state, and federal emergency management officials conducted a joint preliminary damage assessment on July 15 and 16, 2025 in Durham and Orange Counties; and 

Whereas, the President of the United States has not declared a disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (hereinafter “Stafford Act”), as amended (42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5206) for individual assistance; and  

Whereas, based on the preliminary damage assessment, Orange and Durham Counties would not qualify for a Stafford Act declaration for Federal Individual Assistance according to the requirements of 44 C.F.R. § 206.48; and  

Whereas, on July 25, 2025, the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”) issued a disaster declaration for Durham and Orange Counties, as well as the contiguous counties of Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Granville, Person, and Wake; and 

Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.21(b)(1), the criteria for a Type I disaster are met if: (1) the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety has provided a preliminary damage assessment to the Governor and the General Assembly; (2) a local state of emergency pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.22 has been declared; (3) the preliminary damage assessment has met or exceeded the criteria established for the Small Business Disaster Loan Program pursuant to 13 C.F.R. Part 123; and (4) a major disaster declaration by the President of the United States pursuant to the Stafford Act has not been issued; and

Whereas, the Governor has determined that a Type I disaster, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.21(b)(1), exists in the State of North Carolina, specifically Orange County, Durham County, and the surrounding counties of Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Granville, Person, and Wake; and 

Whereas, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.41, if a disaster is declared, the Governor may make state funds available for emergency assistance in the form of individual assistance for recovery from those disasters for which federal assistance under the Stafford Act is either not available or does not adequately meet the needs of residents in the emergency area. 

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, it is ordered: 

Section 1. 

Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.21(b)(1), a Type I disaster is hereby declared for Orange County, Durham County, and the surrounding counties of Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Granville, Person, and Wake (“the Disaster Area”).  

Section 2.

I authorize the use of state emergency assistance funds in the form of grants to individuals and families located within the Disaster Area that meet the terms and conditions under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.41(b)(1).

Section 3.  

           I hereby order that this declaration be (a) distributed to the news media and other organizations calculated to bring its contents to the attention of the general public; (b) promptly filed with the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, the North Carolina Secretary of State, and the clerks of superior court in the counties to which it applies; and (c) distributed to others as necessary to ensure proper implementation of this declaration. 

Section 4.   

Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.21(c)(1), this Type I disaster declaration shall expire sixty (60) days after issuance unless renewed by the Governor or the General Assembly. 

In witness thereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 5th day of August in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-five.

Josh Stein 

Governor

Attest: 

Timothy L. Crowley

Chief of Staff, Secretary of State