Tyrrell County is now among local governments in 49 counties that are eligible to apply for federal assistance as a result of Hurricane Florence losses, the N.C. Department of Public Safety announced Oct. 25.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency aid will help pay for the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent repair work to damaged infrastructure.

“The money pays back local governments that broke their budgets to protect people, clear roads, restore power, and repair bridges damaged by Florence,” said federal coordinating officer Albie Lewis, who oversees disaster operations in North Carolina.

Tyrrell County incurred about $125,000 in Florence-related expenses, county manager David Clegg said.

The federal share of assistance is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost.

The counties beside Tyrrell that were designated Oct. 25 are Alamance, Madison, Polk, and Rowan. The additions mean that 49 of the Tar Heel State’s 100 counties were affected by Hurricane Florence.

“We are very pleased that five more counties will get assistance cleaning up after Hurricane Florence and rebuilding their communities,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “This assistance will help North Carolinians as we continue to pick up the pieces from this devastating storm.”