President Declares Major Disaster For West Virginia
Release Date: June 19, 2008
Release Number: HQ-08-114
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the state of West Virginia to help people and communities recover from the effects of severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides, and landslides during the period of June 3-7, 2008.
FEMA Director David Paulison said the assistance was authorized under a major disaster declaration issued for the state by the President. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Taylor, and Tyler counties.
The assistance, to be coordinated by FEMA, can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides, and landslides in the counties of Barbour, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Marion, and Taylor. In addition, federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Paulison named Ed Smith as the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Smith said that damage surveys are continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are complete.
Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Thursday, 19-Jun-2008 19:07:28