West Virginia Disaster Assistance Tops $10 Million
Release Date: July 21, 2001
Release Number: 1378-23
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms & Flooding
Charleston, WV -- State and federal disaster officials announced today that more than $10 million in federal/state assistance has been approved for West Virginians in 22 counties caught in the state's series of floods reaching back to May 15 and culminating over the weekend of July 7.
BACKGROUND:
On June 4, President Bush declared a major disaster for severe storms and flooding that began in West Virginia on May 15. Six counties were declared at that time making residents and businesses owners eligible for a number of state and federal disaster aid programs. In the following days, twelve additional counties were added to the declaration bringing the total to 18. On the weekend of July 7-8, many of these same counties were struck again by severe storms and flooding, the incident period was reopened and two counties were added bringing the total declared counties to twenty. Two additional counties were added on July 17 bringing the total to 22 declared counties.
The 22 declared counties are:
Boone, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Wayne and Wyoming.
The first and most important step to receiving state and federal disaster aid is calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-462-9029. The TTY number for speech- and- hearing impaired is 1-800-462-7585. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week.
Response and Recovery efforts as of July 20:
- More than $10 million in grants and loans has been approved for disaster- affected people in the 22-declared counties.
- Nearly 3000 checks totaling more than $8 million have been approved for Disaster Housing Assistance to find alternate housing, make minimal repairs, and provide rental assistance to people whose homes were damaged in the floods.
- State officials are processing more than 3500 requests for Individual and Family Grant (IFG) assistance. To date $1 million in IFG grants have been approved. Grants may be used to cover disaster-related expenses, such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, medical expenses, transportation, and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other programs.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $911,000 in loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to repair and replace damaged homes, personal property, and business facilities, inventory and equipment.
- To date, more than 600 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers in McDowell, Raleigh and Wyoming counties seeking information concerning disaster assistance. Mobil Disaster Recovery Centers will be visiting additional cities over the coming weeks.
- More than 8000 affected people have called the FEMA Helpline 1-800-525-0321 to apply for additional assistance, seek information about FEMA programs, or check on the status of their application.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the West Virginia Bureau of Employment Programs for those who lost income because of the disaster including farmers, farm workers, trades people, and other self-employed individuals.
- The Center for Disease Control has provided 7,500 doses of Tetanus Vaccine to local clinics and hospitals to ease a disaster related shortage.
- Public assistance briefings are being conducted for state and local governments who have made requests for assistance from the FEMA/state Infrastructure Assistance Program, which provides funds for the repair of public facilities such as roads, bridges, public buildings and utilities, and for debris removal.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 21-Oct-2003 10:27:02