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CHARLESTON – The governor of West Virginia announced the approval of an extension of the deadline for West Virginia counties to apply for federal disaster relief while the governor of Ohio announced the approval of disaster relief for a number of Ohio counties while others are still awaiting approval.
Governors in West Virginia and Ohio are still looking for areas in need of assistance from recent weather related disasters who would qualify for federal relief funding.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Monday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved his request to extend the deadline for West Virginians impacted by the July flooding to apply for federal disaster assistance.
"West Virginians impacted by these floods have been through a lot, and we want to make sure everyone eligible has the opportunity to get the help they need," Morrisey said. "I thank FEMA for approving our request and giving families additional time to apply as we continue working with these communities through the recovery process."
Governor Morrisey submitted the request on Sept. 27 for a two-week extension of the application deadline. The new deadline to apply for federal disaster assistance is Oct. 17.
Individuals and families in Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties who were affected by the July flooding may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.
Residents can apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA App, by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center. The FEMA Helpline provides assistance in multiple languages.
Disaster Recovery Centers in Lewis and Upshur counties will remain open through Oct. 17 to provide in-person assistance. Centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Upshur County Development Authority and the former Summit Center in Weston.
For more information, contact the West Virginia Emergency Management Division at 304-558-5380 or visit emd.wv.gov.
In Ohio, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently President Trump has approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for seven Ohio counties impacted by severe weather in August.
The counties approved for federal disaster assistance are Clermont, Franklin, Hamilton, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum and Perry.
Governor DeWine requested the declaration for 23 counties on Sept. 2. The 16 counties not addressed in today’s notice of approval are still under review. The request for statewide hazard mitigation support is also pending.
These other counties still being considered for disaster declarations by FEMA, but not approved yet, include Adams. Athen, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Fairfield, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Preble, Richland, Shelby and Washington.
According to a letter from DeWine, dated Sept. 2, the period of volatile weather hit Ohio August 10-23 including derecho and tornadoes, catastrophic flash flooding and historic river flooding moved through the state.
The National Weather Service has confirmed 17 tornadoes touched down in 11 counties and multiple communities were hit with multiple instances of significant flash flooding, the letter said. There were two deaths and injuries to four people have been attributed to these storms. Flash flooding in multiple counties resulted in eight state missions for water rescue teams. At the peak of the storms, there was an estimated 300,000 customers without power. The power outages impacted 9-1-1 operations in two counties.
The declaration activates FEMA's Individual Assistance Grant Program, which includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, rental assistance, replacement of personal property, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, and disaster legal services. The declaration also makes low interest loans available through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Residents who sustained losses in the approved counties can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app.