CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government to assist with the ongoing recovery and repair efforts in central West Virginia for recent storm damage.
Storms that moved through the area between June 12 and June 20, 2013 caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
If granted, the declaration would provide help to individuals, businesses, and local government agencies in Roane County. The approval of public assistance would also provide help to local government agencies in Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, and Mason counties.
Governor Tomblin released the following statement with Friday’s disaster declaration announcement.
“We have spent the last several weeks assessing the damage and gathering the information needed for this request. It is clear, we have many West Virginians who need help,” Gov. Tomblin said. “The storms were particularly destructive in the City of Spencer. Drainage systems were overwhelmed, flood waters reached beyond the 100-year flood plain and, as a result, vital resources received significant flood damage. In nearby Mason County, local farmers, buses, mail delivery and local residents were affected by the closure of a highly traveled bridge which was damaged during the flooding.”
Gov. Tomblin is requesting individual assistance from the federal government including the Individuals and Households Program, Crisis Counseling Program, and Disaster Legal Services for Roane County. He is also seeking Public Assistance for Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Mason, and Roane Counties, as well as Hazard Mitigation for the entire state in accordance with the Stafford Act.
On June 13, 2013, Governor Tomblin declared a state of emergency for Roane County after storms caused flooding, landslides, mudslides, and prompted first responders to perform four swift water rescues to prevent loss of life.