AMU Emergency Management Public Safety

More Than $10 Million in Disaster Aid Available in West Virginia

FEMA approves $10.4 million in support after June floods

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the approval of more than $10.4 million in federal aid for regions of West Virginia hit hard by severe flooding in June.

President Barack Obama issued a [link url=”https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/06/25/president-obama-signs-west-virginia-disaster-declaration-0″ title=”major disaster declaration“] for West Virginia on June 25 after a series of severe storms hit the state on June 22 and resulted in flooding, landslides and mudslides.

West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin called the flooding “among the worst in a century.” The heavy rains and ensuing floods led to [link url=”http://www.cbsnews.com/news/flooding-death-toll-climbs-in-west-virginia/” title=”at least 25 deaths,“] and destroyed hundreds of homes, buildings, bridges, roads and vehicles.

More than 5,200 residences and businesses

According to FEMA, the $10.4 million in disaster funds includes housing assistance amounting to more than $8.6 million. More than 5,200 households and businesses registered with FEMA for assistance in approximately the first week following President Obama’s declaration. Disaster aid for housing assistance can take different forms, including grants for temporary housing, and funds for home repairs or personal property replacement.

Another $1.8 million in aid is available for “other needs assistance.”

FEMA deploys 12 Disaster Survivor Assistance teams

As of July 3, more than 2,000 inspections of disaster-damaged properties were completed by at least 70 FEMA housing inspectors to verify damage.

FEMA also deployed 12 Disaster Survivor Assistance teams to survey damage across the state, especially in the 12 hardest-hit counties: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster.

Additionally, West Virginia and FEMA jointly opened five Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), and reported that more are scheduled to open soon. As of July 3, the DRCs recorded at least 934 visitors in total.

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