West Virginia Flood Relief Exceeds $17 million
Release Date: July 27, 2001
Release Number: 1378-35
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms & Flooding
Charleston, WV -- In the nearly eight weeks since the federally declared disaster for severe storms, floods and mud slides, more than $17 million in federal and state disaster assistance has been approved to help West Virginia residents, businesses and local governments with recovery.
On June 3, President Bush declared a major disaster for severe storms and flooding that began in West Virginia on May 15. Six counties were declared at that time making residents and business owners eligible for a number of state and federal disaster aid programs. In the following days, twelve additional counties were added to the declaration bringing the total to 18.
On the weekend of July 7-8, many of these same counties were struck again by severe storms, mud slides and flooding. The incident period was reopened and two counties were added. Two additional counties were added on July 17 bringing the total to 22 declared counties.
The twenty-two declared counties are Boone, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Taylor, Wayne and Wyoming.
As of July 26, almost 9500 West Virginia residents have registered for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-462-9029. The TTY number for speech or hearing impaired is 1-800-462-7585.
"We are making every effort to help those who suffered damages from the floods and slides that struck the state this spring and summer," said Carlos Mitchell, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "We would like to get people back on their feet as quickly as possible."
The assistance funds have been in the form of housing grants, disaster unemployment assistance, individual and family grants, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans, infrastructure grants to state agencies and local governments, and reimbursement of costs to other federal agencies participating in disaster relief.
Of the $17 million approved through July 26, more than 5700 checks totaling $14 million were sent to applicants for Disaster Housing Assistance. This amount included grants for alternate rental housing, money for emergency repairs and help with mortgage and rent payments. The state administrated Individual and Family Grant Program has approved 466 checks for another $1.7 million in assistance to meet serious disaster related needs not covered by other assistance programs.
SBA has approved more than $1.6 million in low-interest-disaster loans for applicants for home repairs, to replace personal property and to businesses of all sizes to repair and replace damaged structures, inventory and equipment.
"Meeting the needs of disaster victims is our top priority," said Stephen S. Kappa, director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services. "People who suffered damage should know that we are making every effort to get assistance to those affected. Help is on the way."
- To date almost 1900 people have visited nine Disaster Recovery Centers in Boone, Fayette, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh and Wyoming counties seeking information about disaster recovery programs. Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers will visit additional communities in coming weeks.
- Almost 12,000 calls have been made to the FEMA Helpline 1-800-525-0321 to apply for additional assistance, seek information about FEMA programs, or check on the status of their application.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is available through the West Virginia Bureau of Employment Programs for those who lost income because of the disaster including farmers, farm workers, trades people, and other self-employed individuals.
- Thirteen public assistance briefings have been conducted for state and local governments who have made requests for assistance from the FEMA/state Infrastructure Assistance Program, which provides funds for the repair of public facilities such as roads, bridges, public buildings and utilities, and for debris removal.
- The National Guard now has almost 2500 personnel in support of recovery operations. The Guard is involved in curbside pick up of debris. Many troops are assisting the elderly and infirm in removing debris from their homes. The Guard and U.S.Army Corp of Engineers have removed more than 20,000 tons of debris from disaster stricken areas.
Following is a breakdown of applicant calls to the FEMA tele-registration number by county.
| Boone | 368 | Calhoon | 10 |
| Clay | 28 | Doddridge | 5 |
| Fayette | 1306 | Kanawha | 245 |
| Lincoln | 110 | Logan | 70 |
| Marion | 40 | Mason | 25 |
| McDowell | 1891 | Mercer | 843 |
| Mingo | 11 | Preston | 20 |
| Putnam | 9 | Raleigh | 1146 |
| Roane | 9 | Summers | 47 |
| Taylor | 67 | Wayne | 64 |
| Wyoming | 3055 |
Last Modified: Tuesday, 21-Oct-2003 09:57:03