Associated Press Published

Disaster Aid Office in Charleston Closing Next Week

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The office that has been handling disaster assistance to 55 West Virginia counties affected by the 2015 spring and summer storms is closing.

The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says the Charleston field office will close Jan. 22. The state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have operated the office for 10 months. A joint field office typically closes when most of its work is completed.

Officials say FEMA has awarded about $78 million in assistance to the state, local governments and eligible nonprofit agencies since last year’s storms. Many of the projects involve reconstruction of public buildings, roads and bridges.