Disaster Assistance Update
One Month Later -- More Than $8 Million Approved To Help Disaster Survivors
Release Date: July 21, 2003
Release Number: 1474-60
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
Charleston, WV -- It has been one month since President Bush approved a major disaster declaration for West Virginia following severe storms, flooding and landslides beginning on June 11, 2003 and continuing through July 15, 2003 and more than $8 million already has been approved to help those who need it.
"The recovery process is well underway," said Louis Botta, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "One month after we began organizing response and recovery efforts with the State of West Virginia, nearly 4,000 residents in 17 counties have applied for assistance. The process continues, and we hope anyone else who needs help will call the registration line if they haven't already. You never know what you may be eligible for until you apply."
Calling the FEMA toll-free teleregistration number is the necessary first step in applying for disaster assistance: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585. Lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until further notice.
Recovery services summary at close of business Sunday, July 20, 2003:
- More than $5.2 million in FEMA grants has been approved to help disaster-affected homeowners and renters who need a place to stay or who only need to make repairs for their homes to be functional.
- More than $1 million has been approved for residents to help cover other eligible disaster needs such as replacing some personal property, medical, dental and funeral expenses, vehicle costs and certain other expenses.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 1,997 applications to homeowners and 374 applications to businesses and has approved more than $2 million in low-interest, disaster loans.
- Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have assisted 1,043 visitors as of July 20, 2003. Currently, centers are open in Kanawha, Logan, Monongalia and Mingo counties. A DRC for residents of McDowell and Wyoming counties will open this week. Those affected by the disaster are encouraged to visit any of the centers to talk face-to-face with a recovery specialist and to check the status of their applications. To find the nearest center, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
- People living or working in the 17 disaster-declared counties whose jobs have been affected by recent severe storms may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Claims must be filed with local unemployment offices by July 25, 2003 for persons living or working in the following counties: Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne. For those who reside or work in Berkeley, Lincoln and Wyoming counties, the application deadline is July 31, 2003. The deadline for Nicholas and Monongalia is August 14, 2003. Residents of Doddridge, Harrison and Ritchie have until August 18, 2003 to file unemployment claims.
The following is a list of West Virginia counties currently designated as federal disaster areas, along with the number of applications for disaster assistance received as of Sunday, July 20, 2003 per county.
| Disaster Counties | Total Applications Received |
|---|---|
| Berkeley | 91 |
| Boone | 229 |
| Cabell | 162 |
| Doddridge | 56 |
| Harrison | 102 |
| Kanawha | 1,061 |
| Lincoln | 145 |
| Logan | 497 |
| Mason | 125 |
| McDowell | 172 |
| Mingo | 391 |
| Monongalia | 229 |
| Nicholas | 45 |
| Putnam | 94 |
| Ritchie | 34 |
| Wayne | 372 |
| Wyoming | 153 |
| TOTAL | 3,958 |
Last Modified: Monday, 21-Jul-2003 14:20:59