The storm left across the river on River Road.

It had a maximum path width of 250 yards and a path length of 5 miles, beginning around 5:20 p.m. in the Highway 48 area and leaving across the Roanoke River after passing through River Road, according to the stated coordinates.

Roanoke Rapids Planning and Development Director Amanda Jarratt said damage assessment, in which the city was assisted by Halifax County, shows 49 homes experienced minor damage, 19 homes had major damage and seven homes were destroyed.

There were nine commercial buildings with minor damage, eight commercial buildings with major damage and five commercial buildings destroyed.  Additional information will be forthcoming, she said.

In the wake of deadly tornadoes that ripped through central and eastern North Carolina on Saturday, President Barack Obama on Tuesday declared the state a disaster, paving the way for federal aid for affected counties.

Obama's declaration means federal funding will be available to affected individuals in Bertie, Bladen, Cumberland, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Wake and Wilson counties.

The federal assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Funding is also available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures in Bertie, Bladen, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wake and Wilson counties.

For FEMA assistance or Disaster Relief from the tornado damage sustained please call 1-800-621-3362 or visit www.disasterassistance.gov

Disaster Assistance Available from FEMA are:

Housing Needs

Other than Housing Needs

Additional Services

Housing Needs:

Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time): Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available. Search for information about housing rental resources.

Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.

Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.

Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.

Other than Housing Needs:

Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes:

Disaster-related medical and dental costs.

Disaster-related funeral and burial cost.

Clothing; household items (room furnishings, appliances); tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).

Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).

Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).

Disaster damaged vehicle.

Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).

Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.

Other expenses that are authorized by law.

Additional Services:

Crisis Counseling

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Legal Services

Special Tax Considerations