Severe winter rainstorms caused an estimated $3 million damage to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina.

Four days of storms in January caused damage throughout the reservation. One road alone will cost about $1.3 million to fix, The Smoky Mountain News reported.

The tribe was the first in the nation to receive a disaster declaration directly from the federal government. Amendments to the Stafford Act recognize tribal sovereignty.

Previously, tribes had to go through states for disaster declarations.

Get the Story:
Cherokee scores federal storm clean-up assistance (The Smoky Mountain News 3/14)

Federal Register Notice:
Solicitation for Comments Regarding Current Procedures To Request Emergency and Major Disaster Declarations (March 8, 2013)

Related Stories:
FEMA to consult tribes about new disaster declaration process (3/11)
Eastern Cherokees get first disaster declaration under new law (3/4)