Disaster Relief Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Less Than Three Weeks Left To Claim Aid For Flood Damages

The deadline to file a federal aid claim over personal property damaged in August 2023 flooding incidents is April 1. West Virginia residents of several counties can receive grants for damages not covered by insurance.

West Virginia residents have until April 1 to claim federal aid for property damages or losses resulting from flash flooding in August 2023.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the deadline for filing claims Wednesday. It applies to residents of Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison and Kanawha counties.

Last summer, flash flooding ravaged homes and businesses across southern and central West Virginia. In January, President Joe Biden declared the incident a major disaster, which allowed residents to claim federal disaster recovery funds through FEMA.

So far, more than $1 million has been allocated to disaster recovery efforts.

FEMA grants do not need to be repaid, and the organization encourages residents to apply for aid even if they have insurance. FEMA does not provide grants for damages covered by insurance, but will subsidize costs not covered through insurance claims.

Although most aid claims focus on structural damages, FEMA can also help cover some specific damages not included in insurance plans. This can include wells, furnaces, private roads, private bridges and septic systems.

For more information on how to file a claim, residents can contact FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Helpline at 1 (800) 621-3362, or visit disaster recovery centers in Boone, Clay, Harrison or Kanawha counties.

To learn more about filing a claim online, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

FEMA Offers Guidance To Residents Seeking Flood Aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided guidance to residents seeking federal aid after floods ravaged several counties in southern and central West Virginia in August.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has distributed letters to some residents of Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Harrison and Kanawha counties affected by flooding in August 2023.

These letters were distributed to residents who applied for federal relief funds. They outline applicants’ eligibility for funds, and next steps to claim them.

Last summer, flash floods swept southern and central West Virginia, damaging homes and businesses across the counties.

On Jan. 30, President Joe Biden officially declared the flooding incident a major disaster, opening the region and its residents to federal recovery funds. The funds can be applied to home repairs, property loans and more.

Since the disaster declaration, FEMA has allocated more than $1 million to the West Virginia counties. FEMA supplied residents an additional $72,000 cumulatively for other disaster costs like childcare and medical expenses.

FEMA has encouraged individuals affected by the flooding to file insurance claims immediately. Costs not covered by insurance can be covered through FEMA funds, and an end date for the application period has not yet been announced.

For residents who have already submitted their applications, letters from FEMA regarding next steps should have already come, or soon be on their way.

The letters will state if residents need to submit supplemental information to complete their claims, like proof of insurance, proof of occupancy in a house affected by the flooding and proof of ownership of said property.

FEMA encouraged residents to promptly submit necessary supplemental materials and to follow guidance provided in the letters. FEMA also encouraged residents who have not yet filed a claim to do so as soon as possible.

For more information on the eligibility letters, residents can contact FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Helpline at (800) 621-3362, or visit disaster recovery centers in Boone, Clay, Harrison or Kanawha counties.

For more information on the disaster declaration and submitting a federal aid claim, residents can visit fema.gov/disaster/4756.

Businesses in Two W.Va. Counties Eligible for Disaster Loans

Some small businesses in two West Virginia counties are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans as a result of storms last year.

The U.S. Small Business Administration said the loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations in Hardy and Pendleton counties.

The loans are available as a result of a drought disaster declaration by the agriculture secretary covering the effects of rain, flash flooding, flooding and hail that began April 15, 2018.

Kem Fleming of SBA’s Field Operations Center East says Hardy and Pendleton counties are eligible because they are contiguous to one or more primary counties in Virginia.

Applications may be made online or by calling (800) 659-2955, or (800) 877-8339 for the hearing impaired.

West Virginia to See More than $100 Million in Disaster Relief

A disaster relief package that would send more than $100 million to West Virginia is on its way to the president’s desk.

This funding is part of a larger disaster relief package of more than $19 billion that will be split throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. $106 million will be given to West Virginia for mitigation and resilience activities related to past flooding.

The bill passed the U.S. Senate nearly two weeks ago and passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

The funds will come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program, according to Sen. Joe Manchin’s office.

Manchin said in a statement the funds were promised to West Virginia more than a year ago in the aftermath of major flooding in the state.

“I am so glad that finally the disaster relief package has passed so we can get these much needed resources to the people of West Virginia and other areas of the country that have been hit by horrible natural disasters. In my state, we have been waiting more than a year to receive this funding to help rebuild in the aftermath of terrible flooding. I have been working hard with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this passed and I applaud my colleagues on the Senate Appropriations Committee and President Trump for finally reaching a deal and bringing it to the Senate floor,” Sen. Joe Manchin said in a press release on May 23, 2019.

According to Manchin’s office, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has 90 days after President Donald Trump signs the bill to release the $106 million in disaster aid to West Virginia.

The bill also includes:

$3.25 Billion for the Army Corps of Engineers to repair damaged infrastructure and reduce the risk of future floods and hurricanes.
$3.17 Billion to rebuild U.S. military bases and coast guard facilities.
$3.005 Billion to support U.S. farmers as they recover from crop and livestock losses.
$2.431 Billion for Community Development Block Grants to help communities rebuild and mitigate future disaster.
$1.65 Billion to rebuild disaster damaged highways.
$720 Million for the U.S. Forest Service for wildland fire activities.
$600 Million in Economic Development Assistance Programs to help communities rebuild and revamp their economy.
$349.4 Million for State Revolving Funds to help rebuild damaged water systems; and
$128 Million for the National Park Service to repair damaged public lands.
$605 Million for the Nutrition Assistance Program for Puerto Rico.
$304 Million from Community Development Block Grants to help it meet FEMA match requirements for Puerto Rico.

A provision also ensures more damaged facilities in Puerto Rico will be repaired or replaced, and built with better standards.

Audit: $5 Million IOU as West Virginia Missed FEMA Deadlines

A state audit says West Virginia’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management didn’t comply with federal regulations, forcing localities to pay for disaster relief.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports on the Legislative Auditor’s Office audit released on Sunday. It says the state has been late for years in submitting a grant spending report to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Last year, it says, the agency missed a federal deadline by more than 170 days.

It says the agency is three years behind in requesting $8.3 million in federal grants that have already been spent. Over $5 million of that is owed to counties and cities.

FEMA penalized the state for that noncompliance, requiring it to use state funds for relief that may be eligible for federal reimbursement.

Small Business Administration Hiring Temporary Workers

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hiring temporary employees to assist with the agency’s disaster recovery efforts at several locations across the country.

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have caused massive devastation, and the SBA is staffing up to respond to the increased flow of disaster loan applications from homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.

The temporary positions include damage verifiers, construction analysts, lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants, loan specialists and IT specialists, with a special need for people with bilingual language skills.

Most of the jobs are located at one of SBA’s disaster field operations centers in Sacramento, Dallas, Atlanta, Buffalo, or in the areas affected by the recent hurricanes.