Disaster Victims Get $1 Million In First Recovery Funds 

Release Date: July 3, 2008
Release Number: 1769-015

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides

BRIDGEPORT, W. Va. -- More than $1 million in disaster assistance has been approved for people in 11 West Virginia counties designated as disaster areas that were struck by severe early June storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.

As disaster recovery work ended a second week, $1,084,122 has been approved to help people recover and rebuild their lives by paying for temporary housing, and other disaster-related needs. More than $977,000 of that has already been disbursed to storm victims.

Federal-state assistance is available for qualified people who sustained uninsured or underinsured disaster-related losses from the storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides and landslides of  June 3 - 7 in Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler and Wetzel counties.

People in these counties can still apply for assistance by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing- and speech-impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

Anyone who prefers to discuss assistance issues can visit Disaster Recover Centers (DRC) that are currently in Marion, Doddridge, Gilmer and Harrison counties. U.S. Small Business Administration representatives will also be at the DRCs to help individuals apply for low-interest disaster loans. Loans are available to repair major damage or replace personal property. Loans are available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations to assist with their disaster recovery.

FEMA coordinates the federal government?s 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, 03-Jul-2008 17:26:03