Aug.
14, 2017
Governor
Justice requests federal disaster declaration for late July flooding
CHARLESTON,
W.Va. – Governor Jim Justice has asked President Trump to
declare a major disaster for the State of West Virginia in the wake of the
severe late July storms that brought flooding, landslides, mudslides and wind
damage to a dozen counties.
Governor Justice explained to the White
House in his Aug. 10 request letter that preliminary damage assessments have
determined that 161 home were destroyed or suffered major damage in just four
of those counties, while another 557 residences received minor damage or were
otherwise affected.
“Although it has not garnered the national
attention of last year’s catastrophic disaster,” Governor Justice wrote, referring to the deadly and
devastating June 2016 floods, “the survivors of this event absolutely need the
Stafford Act and other federal agency assistance that can only be provided by
your declaring this event a Major Disaster.”
Governor Justice is requesting all
categories of Individual Assistance for Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Ohio and
Wetzel Counties, and all categories of Public Assistance for those counties as
well as Doddridge, Monongalia, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Tyler.
Governor Justice proclaimed a State of
Emergency on July 29 for Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio, Taylor,
Tucker and Wetzel counties, implementing the State Emergency Operations Plan as
well. He expanded his State of Emergency declaration on Aug. 7 to include
Doddridge, Preston and Randolph counties.
Governor Justice said the assessments show
that the federal aid is required “to restore the lives of those affected by
this disaster to their pre-disaster condition.” The letter specifically
requests the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individuals and Household
Program, crisis counseling, disaster legal services and unemployment
assistance, and programs from such other agencies as the Small Business
Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.
Governor Justice in his letter praised
first responders including the swift water rescue teams that performed dozens
of successful missions during the July 28-29 storms. Such actions helped to
prevent the loss of life or serious injuries. He also referred the president to
the significant response and recovery operations of the West Virginia National
Guard and the array of “extraordinary” assistance provided by at least a dozen
member agencies of the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
(WV VOAD).
Governor Justice thanked the president for
the prompt dispatching of FEMA officials, who have been conducting Individual
Assistance Preliminary Damage Assessment jointly with state officials and “in a
timely and thorough manner.” The state Division of Homeland Security and
Emergency Management continues to coordinate the joint PDAs and other elements
of the disaster response.
While the disaster declaration request
does not encompass the July 23 flooding, which left two dead, the governor
cited how that event had “left the state, especially the area struck by these
storms, very vulnerable” to the sort of flash flooding triggered by the July
28-29 storms.
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