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Governor Hunt Tours State a Year After Fran

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Governor Hunt arrives with members of his disaster recovery team at Umstead State Park.
RALEIGH — A year ago hurricane Fran slammed into theCarolina coastline. By this time last September, North Carolinians werejust beginning to evaluate her damage and determine what to do next.The impact was hard to believe. It still is.

WRAL-TV5'sMark Robertscaught up with the governor during a brief stop at Umstead State Park onHunt's so-called 'Franiversary Tour'. The park lost 12 million trees andit cost $1 million to get the park open again after Fran. The governorsays he wants to assess the progress of recovery efforts and determinewhat the state needs to do now. He says he particularly wanted to check onUmstead.

Hunt was accompanied on his tour by the N.C. Secretary of CrimeControl and Public Safety, and officials from Hunt's disaster recoverytask force. He said he is not totally satisfied with the state's recoveryeffort so far. He said he wants people who are still having trouble totell him about it.

Hunt says he and his staff have identified 84 things that NC can dobetter the next time a disaster like Hurricane Fran comes around. Earlierwarnings and better coordination of rescue agencies are near the top ofthat list.

Hunt made a surprise announcement during his visit to the park. He saidan additional $9 million in hurricane recovery grants is on its way to thestate.

Photographer:Terry Cantrell

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