State Incurred About $300M in Flood Damage

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says West Virginia incurred about $300 million in damages from deadly floods in June.

Tomblin told reporters Tuesday he plans to call lawmakers into session next week to address the state’s share of flood costs. Tomblin says in the worst case scenario, the state would cover about $75 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has said it would increase its cost share with the state from 75 to 90 percent if West Virginia can pinpoint about $254 million in damage costs or more.

Tomblin said the higher federal cost-share isn’t guaranteed. He said he’s also lobbying the Obama administration to include West Virginia in a congressional bill to aid Louisiana’s flood recovery.

The June floods killed 23 people and destroyed homes, businesses, schools and infrastructure.