Greenbrier, Lincoln, Monroe and Summers counties are now eligible for public assistance following last month’s floods.
Logan and Wayne counties received a major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on March 11, and the original four counties — McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming — were approved on Feb. 26.
Heavy flooding hit southern West Virginia and Kentucky on Feb. 15.
The Public Assistance (PA) Program provides supplemental grants to state and local governments and certain private nonprofits to cover their costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure restoration.
Other counties in both the Individual Assistance and Public Assistance requests still remain under consideration by FEMA.
All West Virginia counties are still able to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which can provide resources to alleviate or reduce future flooding and assist Public Service Districts with wastewater treatment and other long-term hazard reduction projects.
For counties that have already been approved for assistance, applicants should apply as soon as possible. Visit FEMA’s website here for more information.
With federal disaster aid approved in Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is setting up in the area. Those affected by the February flooding may also be able to access emergency SNAP benefits.
Those residents may also receive help with expenses related to essential items including temporary housing, home repairs, and other needs as a result of the winter flooding.
Flood victims who registered damages through a state survey still need to register directly with FEMA. The state survey was used to help the damage assistance teams apply for the federal help.
Logan and Wayne counties have been declared disaster areas, but the service locations have not been set up yet.
Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, please provide FEMA your number for that service.
4. Speak with someone in person.
Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams will be on the ground in impacted communities, walking door-to-door to share information and help residents apply for FEMA assistance.
If you have insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA can’t pay for losses that your insurance will cover.
When you apply, you will be asked to provide:
A description of the damage
Your contact information, including your current phone number and your 911 address where you can currently be reached
Your 911 address at the time of disaster
Your Social Security number
Your contact information
If you have insurance, your policy number, agent or company
Your annual household income
Your bank account information, if you would like to receive direct deposit
If you have already applied for FEMA assistance and have questions about the status of your application or about appealing a FEMA determination letter you have received, visit a DRC near you for one-on-one assistance or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. FEMA staff are ready to answer your questions.
Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center Lifeline Princeton Church of God 250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed Sundays Closed March 15, March 22, April 19
Mingo County Disaster Recovery Center Williamson Campus 1601 Armory Drive Williamson, WV 25661 Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Sundays
McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center Bradshaw Town Hall 10002 Marshall Hwy Bradshaw, WV 24817 Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sundays
Wyoming County Disaster Recovery Center Wyoming Court House 24 Main Ave Pineville, WV 24874 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays
How To Access SNAP Benefits
Nearly 3,000 households in those four counties may also be eligible for Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance benefits. D-SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food, but cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or non-food items.
Eligibility will be based on the household’s net income, which is determined by adding available income, cash on hand, and accessible bank accounts, then subtracting unreimbursed disaster-related expenses, like food loss or damage to property. Assets such as homes and automobiles are not included in the net income eligibility determination.
Residents of the four counties may apply for D-SNAP benefits from March 17, 2025, through March 21, 2025.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring the following items:
Photo proof of identity for the head of household, such as a driver’s license or other picture ID;
Documentation of residence or employment in the affected county at the time of disaster;
Verification of all income received since February 5, 2025, and ongoing
Verification of assets such as checking and savings accounts; and
Verification of all disaster-related expenses.
Most benefits will be available within one day of the application. Benefits must be used within 90 days.
Households in the four approved counties receiving ongoing SNAP benefits may be eligible for a one-time disaster supplement to help with recovery. These extra benefits will bring their monthly SNAP amount up to the maximum allowed for their household size. To qualify, households must either request replacement benefits since the disaster or submit a simple form confirming disaster-related expenses. However, households already receiving the maximum SNAP benefit are not eligible for additional funds.
SNAP benefits are 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and offer nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and households.
Residents of Logan and Wayne counties are now eligible for federal aid dollars over severe flooding that struck southern West Virginia on Feb. 15.
Residents of Logan and Wayne counties are now eligible for federal aid dollars due to severe flooding that struck southern West Virginia on Feb. 15.
Four other counties in West Virginia — McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties — already received approval for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Feb. 26.
The flash flooding in February claimed lives across southern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky, and left residents to face significant structural and property damage.
West Virginia State Police reported on Feb. 19 that three residents died after their truck was swept into the Tug River. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced March 3 that flooding and flooding-related injuries killed 24 Kentucky residents, the Courier Journal previously reported.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey requested that areas affected by the flooding receive a major disaster declaration from the federal government Feb. 17.
The government can issue major disaster declarations after natural disasters to open regions up to ad hoc federal aid for things like immediate resident needs, business costs and property and infrastructure damages. But the declaration must first be issued by a state’s governor, then get okayed by the president’s office.
Logan and Wayne county residents can now access funds through FEMA’s individual assistance program, which helps individuals cover recovery costs for home and property damages.
Morrisey said in a press release Monday that he is still waiting to hear back on the inclusion of other counties in his original disaster declaration request — Boone, Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Raleigh and Summers counties.
“The individual assistance program will provide relief to those in need and aid our recovery efforts across southern West Virginia,” Morrisey said in the press release.
FEMA will also consider opening disaster recovery centers in both Logan and Wayne counties, according to the governor’s office. These pop-up centers help guide residents through the disaster aid application process.
For more information on how to apply for federal disaster aid, visit the FEMA website.
For information on resources available over February’s flooding incident and who qualifies, visit the FEMA webpage for the disaster declaration.
President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties over severe flooding that swept southern West Virginia roughly two weeks ago.
President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties over severe flooding that swept southern West Virginia beginning Feb. 15. Announced Wednesday, the declaration opens the region to financial aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
All 55 counties in the state were placed under a state of preparedness Feb. 6 over prior flash flooding, with Cabell and Kanawha counties also placed under a state of emergency.
Roughly one week later, with water levels still high, local officials reported decades-high levels of flooding from another bout of rainfall. On Feb. 15, Morrisey placed 13 counties under another state of emergency over the weather, which opens an area to emergency funds and mobilizes emergency personnel.
Morrisey requested that Trump issue the region a major disaster declaration on Feb. 17. Major disaster declarations make federal relief funds accessible to residents and businesses affected by disaster events, but first requires approval from the president’s office.
“The Major Disaster Declaration will supplement the work being completed on the ground and provide relief to recovering communities in southern West Virginia,” Morrisey said in a press release Wednesday evening.
Resources made available to the region by the federal major disaster declaration include FEMA’s Individual Assistance program and Hazard Mitigation Grant program, which provide financial aid to individual residents and public infrastructure, respectively.
For more information on how to apply for disaster aid, visit the FEMA website. For more information on Wednesday’s major disaster declaration, visit the FEMA webpage for the declaration.
At least two deaths have been attributed to flooding in southern West Virginia, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Tuesday.
Morrisey said that two people died in McDowell County as a result of flooding over the weekend.
The governor said in a briefing Tuesday that an additional person was missing and that a firefighter in McDowell County also died. He said it remains to be determined whether the firefighter’s death was a direct result of the flooding.
“We have announced at least two fatalities from McDowell County, and we believe those individuals are from Welch,” Morrisey said.
Morrisey requested a disaster declaration from President Donald Trump on Monday. West Virginia’s U.S. senators and representatives also sent a letter to Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting disaster assistance for 13 counties.
Trump on Sunday approved a disaster declaration for Kentucky, which saw at least a dozen deaths related to the flooding.
At least one person in West Virginia has died due to flooding, Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed Monday. He said 13 counties in the state are in a state of emergency with the amount of structural damage expected to rise.
Late Monday morning, Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed that at least one person in West Virginia has died due to flooding.
“We have one confirmed fatality at this time,” Morrisey said. “We’re obviously going to work to hold off on the identity of that person until the family gets notified. Then, we will provide that to you. There are still several people who are missing, and when we learn more information about that, we will also let you know.”
Morrisey said there have been more than 38 swift water rescues around the state. He said the extent of structural damage due to flooding continues to rise.
“As many know the Tug Fork River and the Bluestone River and some of our tributaries have experienced major flooding levels, something we haven’t seen in a very long time,” he said. “That means that there’s damage to significant numbers of structures and roads and significant evacuations to people to higher elevations.”
As of 11 a.m Monday, said Morrisey, about 30,000 people were still without power. Thirteen West Virginia counties remain in a state of emergency, he said, adding that Mingo, McDowell and Mercer Counties appear to be hardest hit. Morrisey said he is working to ensure federal help quickly becomes available.
“I know that I’ve had conversations with the federal government, in particular with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noam, who has pledged to help,” Morrisey said. “I’m very appreciative of that. We know we’re going to be getting good cooperation from the federal government.”
Morrisey said some schools and other facilities in McDowell County have been set up as shelters.
“We know that there are certain shelters in place in McDowell County, at the Mount View High School, at the eastern Methodist Church in Kimball, also at the Reclamation Church in Welch,” he said. “We know that there’s also a shelter in place at the Mingo Field House in Williamson. We already know that over 50,000 water bottles have been deployed to the affected areas. We’re also coordinating with the Red Cross, other local charities, to make sure that all the appropriate resources can be brought to bear and leverage to help people that are most in need.”’
Morrisey said some West Virginia areas got more than five inches of rain over the weekend.
