CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There are now 23 confirmed deaths from the flash flooding that moved through parts of central and southeastern West Virginia last Thursday, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said Monday.
Officials earlier pegged the death toll at 25, but Monday reduced that to 23 after a clarification from Greenbrier County. The death toll includes 12 bodies recovered in Greenbrier County and three more missing and presumed dead.
Other information released by the state Sunday night included:
FEMA
-At this time, individual FEMA assistance is available in Greenbrier, Kanawha and Nicholas counties and work is continuing on adding more counties.
-Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
-Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
-The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.
-An Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) has arrived to coordinate directly with the State of West Virginia and support requests for assistance;
– 14 PDA teams to conduct PDAs for both Public Assistance and Individual Assistance have arrived;
-There are four trucks of meals and nine trucks of water enroute to FSA Yeager from DC Cumberland.
– FEMA is assisting in the establishment of an Incident Support Base (ISB) with a C2 Mobile Command Center.
– The first Disaster Recovery Center is planned to be open on Tuesday. Details and confirmation will be forthcoming.
– Region III’s Voluntary Agency Liaison and Disability Integration Specialist to work with and support voluntary agencies, communities, and individuals with access and functional needs;
– Will work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist with public works and debris management;
-Additional FEMA staff to assist with response and recovery operations, including Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) who will go into communities to assist individuals with registering for assistance.
-10,605 homes and businesses are still without power
Volunteer Agencies
WV Red Cross
-The American Red Cross has hundreds of disaster workers on the ground in multiple West Virginia communities helping the thousands of people impacted by devastating flooding. Red Cross workers from all over the state and country continue to support Red Cross shelters open throughout the affected areas of Fayette, Kanawha and Nicholas Counties. Relief supplies, clean-up kits, meals, snacks and water are in route to areas in Clay, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas, Roane, and Webster Counties. Teams are out assessing damages in both Kanawha and Roane County, with other communities to follow.
-To find open Red Cross shelters go to: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery/find-an-open-shelter
WV VOAD/Volunteer WV
– From Monday, June 27 through July 15, 2016, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (www.ITDRC.org) and VisionLink (www.VisionLink.org), are staffing and supporting a free hotline for debris removal and home cleanup after the recent floods affecting large parts of West Virginia and Virginia. This hotline will connect survivors with reputable and vetted relief agencies that will assist in mud-outs, debris removal, and cleaning up homes, as they are able. All services are free, but service is not guaranteed due to the overwhelming need.
This hotline cannot assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or questions about FEMA registration. For access to other community resources, survivors should call 2-1-1.
Survivors needing assistance with home cleanup may call: 1-800-451-1954 until July 15, 2016.
Pets
-The Kanawha -Charleston Humane Association has started receiving animals from flood victims. They have the capacity to handle up to 30 animals. They are accepting animal feed, blankets, etc. The WV Dept. of Agriculture has loaned them 30 collapsible animal crates and bowls and additional crates are in stock.
-Preston County EMA humane officers have loaned the KCHA an animal response trailer which is capable of also housing animals.
-In Fayette County pet/animal/horse feed and supplies may be dropped off at the Nuttall School, 30930 Midland Trail, Mt Lookout, WV.