Private Roads and Bridges May Receive FEMA Funds
Release Date: July 10, 2003
Release Number: 1474-33
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
Charleston, WV -- Private roads and bridges affected by the recent West Virginia storms are, in certain instances, eligible for repair or replacement under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individual Assistance program, according to state and federal officials.
State Coordinating Officer Stephen S. Kappa encourages owners to contact FEMA if they believe they may be eligible to receive emergency assistance. "There is help available if the damage falls within the federally-mandated criteria," said Kappa.
Owners of private roads and bridges can call the FEMA teleregistration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), and an inspector will be assigned to review the bridge damage. The hearing or speech impaired may call TTY at 1-800-462-7585.
Following are two of the criteria used in determining assistance:
- The private road or bridge is the only way to access the owner's home.
- The road or bridge is the only access to a group of homes.
When a road or bridge accesses a group of homes, assistance is equally distributed among the group's homeowners and must be used by the individual or group for the needed repairs. Assistance is based on the actual costs up to the federal limit.
The Federal Highway Administration's Year 2000 National Bridge Inventory reported that close to 7000 bridges span West Virginia's public and private waterways. They are as legendary as the mountains that give the state its rugged outdoors appeal. Many of these bridges and many roads, both public and private were made impassable by the storms and flooding that began on June 11. Thanks to a federal disaster declaration on June 21 and to federal, state, and local cooperative efforts, damaged roads and bridges are being restored.
Last Modified: Thursday, 10-Jul-2003 14:26:48