RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Twenty North Carolina counties have been approved for federal disaster assistance for the April 16 storms and tornadoes.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports Saturday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $18.6 million in funding. Loans represent 60 percent of the total assistance, while the rest is grants.

FEMA also approved $10 million as public assistance to local governments, state agencies and nonprofits. The assistance allows FEMA to fund 75 percent of tornado-related projects, with the state covering the rest.

The original June 20 deadline was extended to July 5. Residents of Alamance, Bertie, Bladen, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Greene, Halifax, Harnett, Hertford, Hoke, Johnston, Lee, Onslow, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Tyrrell, Wake and Wilson were eligible.

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