Three Additional Counties Eligible For Individual Assistance 

Release Date: June 27, 2003
Release Number: 1474-06

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

Charleston, WV -- Disaster assistance is now available for three additional West Virginia counties. The counties of Berkeley, Lincoln and Wyoming incurred disaster damages from the severe storms, flooding and landslides that began on June 11. They were added to the list of counties eligible for individual assistance based on a review of damage data gathered by federal, state and local disaster recovery officials.

Residents and business owners in the affected counties can apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs under the disaster declaration issued by President George W. Bush on June 21. The three counties join Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mingo, Putnam, and Wayne, bringing the total to 12 counties.

All counties declared for individual assistance are eligible for temporary housing assistance and housing repair, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary disaster expenses not met by other programs.

If you suffered damages to your home, call the FEMA toll-free teleregistration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing- impaired. You may call from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Each application is handled on a case-by-case basis.

The application process, which takes 15 to 20 minutes, is the starting point for a wide range of state, federal and voluntary disaster assistance programs.

Applicants should have the following information ready when they call:

"We want those who have received disaster damage to get the help they need," said Federal Coordinating Officer Louis Botta. "Making that registration call is the first step on the road to recovery."

Last Modified: Monday, 30-Jun-2003 09:53:03