Major Disaster Declared For West Virginia Winter Storm
Release Date: March 14, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-073
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Winter Storms
Washington, D.C. -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that President Bush has declared a major disaster for West Virginia, opening the way for the use of federal funds to help people and communities recover from the effects of a severe winter storm and record snowfall that struck the state last month.
Michael D. Brown, FEMA director and under secretary designee for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, a part of the Department of Homeland Security, said the President took the action following a review of FEMAs analysis of the states request for federal relief. The declaration covers damage to private and public property from the snow and ice storm, heavy rains, flooding and landslides that began on February 16.
Immediately after the President's action, Brown designated the counties of Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mingo, Roane and Wayne eligible for aid to stricken residents and business owners.
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.
For the state and affected local governments, Brown said federal funds will be provided to pay 75 percent of the eligible costs for restoring damaged public facilities in the following 24 counties: Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Greenbrier, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wirt, and Wyoming.
The counties of Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mingo and Wayne also are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay part of the cost for approved projects that reduce future disaster risks.
In addition, Brown said funding will be available to pay part of the cost for emergency protective measures undertaken as a result of record and near-record snowfall in the counties of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pocahontas and Preston.
Under the declaration, FEMA will reimburse the state and local government agencies in these counties for 75 percent of the total eligible costs of equipment, contracts, and personnel overtime related to emergency services in dealing with the snow over a 48-hour period. These are the crucial hours when work crews clear snow from emergency routes and roads to critical facilities. Related emergency protective measures such as sanding and salting, search and rescue, shelter operations, and police and fire department response also will be eligible for reimbursement.
Brown indicated that additional counties may be designated for aid later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. He named Louis Botta of FEMA to coordinate the federal relief effort.
Botta said those who sustained losses in the counties designated for aid to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process 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 be available starting Saturday, March 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 19-Mar-2003 14:45:30