CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The devastation was widespread with people still hurting and struggling Monday following last week’s flood waters that wiped away homes and businesses in West Virginia, but Third District Congressman Evan Jenkins is reminding flood victims there are resources available.
“Our state resources, (American) Red Cross, I have actually district office staff embedded in these communities and these counties that have not been designated yet,” Jenkins (R-W.Va.) said on Monday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
As of Monday afternoon, FEMA had nearly 1,000 resident in Kanawha, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties already apply for individual assistance. Flood victims in those areas are allowed to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.
Jenkins said they’re pushing for a FEMA declaration for Webster and other counties.
“No body should think that the three county initial designation is the end of the road and the final say,” he said.
The response for FEMA to offer the assistance to victims was fairly quick, Jenkins said.
“The fact that we had the individual assistance, emergency declaration issued from the President within 48 hours of the first rain drops was extraordinarily fast,” he said.
Jenkins has traveled many hard hit areas throughout West Virginia that were impacted by Thursday’s storm. He said several problems remain for the survivors who had to evacuate their homes.
“The challenge is going to be making sure that people, as they come back to their homes and see that they’re not inhabitable, where they’re going to stay as they move out of the shelters,” he said.
Road and debris clean up was underway Monday.
“This is going to be a long time — clean up, recovery, rebuild,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins’ office was providing FEMA disaster assistance information Monday in White Sulphur Springs and Rainelle to help residents.