HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — State and federal officials on Tuesday began assessing damage related to flooding earlier this month in Huntington.
Teams with the state Emergency Management Division, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration began their work in Cabell and Wayne counties in hopes of understanding if communities are eligible for federal assistance.
Flooding in the Ritter Park area damaged more than 100 homes on May 6. Gov. Jim Justice placed Cabell, Putnam and Roane counties under a State of Emergency/
“I’m really pleased with the teamwork shown every day between local emergency managers, EMD, FEMA, and partners like the Small Business Administration,” EMD Director G.E. McCabe said. “This has allowed West Virginia to improve not only our response to disasters, but to improve the efficiency of the recovery process.”
The officials will work with local officials to validate the damage and make a decision related to a joint damage assessment submission. Justice will use the submission to determine a possible request to the White House for a major disaster declaration.
Crews hope to complete the assessments of impacted areas by the end of the week.