CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In a little more than a week two federal government agencies that have been present since shortly after the June 23 flood hit in 12 West Virginia counties will begin pulling out of West Virginia.
Workers with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration have offered assistance to flood victims on a one-on-one basis at various disaster recovery centers. SBA spokesperson Mary Gipson says she won’t soon forget the West Virginia flood.
“I landed here on June 30 and from that day on I’ve been going to the distribution centers and I’ve been looking at the volunteers and that’s really been amazing,” Gipson said.
FEMA spokesman Bob Howard agrees. It’s the teamwork that has impressed Howard.
“Recovery has been really a whole community effort, the churches, the volunteer groups. That’s another important factor, long after we’re gone people will still be recovering and those community volunteer organizations will be there helping those families,” Howard said.
Individual assistance from FEMA will top $100 million with millions more to come in public assistance as the federal government reimburses state and local governments on what was spent in response to the disaster, according to Howard.
Latest numbers from the SBA show 612 loans have been approved for more than $40 million. Most of those to homeowners and renters but more business owners have applied for loans in recent weeks, Gipson said.
Both Gipson and Howard urge flood victims to apply for assistance with their agencies before the Aug. 24 deadline. Howard said a homeowner already into their rebuild may realize later they need FEMA.
“That protects you down the line,” Howard said. “If you get into your home repairs and you find out it’s more than you can handle then you still have the right to come back and seek the assistance you need.”
FEMA will continue to have a presence in West Virginia way after the coming deadline. Agency representatives will work with the state and local governments on recovery efforts including the rebuild of schools and other infrastructure needs.
FEMA registration can be made at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. The SBA’s customer service line is 1-800-659-2955.