WASHINGTON, D.C. — West Virginia’s two U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives are urging in a letter to President Joe Biden and FEMA Region III Administrator MaryAnn Tierney to consider the state’s appeal for a major disaster declaration for the severe weather events from early April.
The letter from U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito and U.S. Representatives Carol Miller and Alex Mooney was sent on Friday.
At least 15 West Virginia counties throughout central and southern parts of the state experienced heavy rains, high winds and at least 10 tornados that brought flooding and extensive damage.
“As members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, we write in support of Governor Jim Justice’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia following recent severe weather events,” the lawmakers wrote in part. “We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, and we urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover.”
The letter can be read here:
Dear President Biden and Regional Administrator Tierney,
As members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, we write in support of Governor Jim Justice’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia following recent severe weather events.
Severe storms washed through our State causing widespread damage. Heavy rains, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides caused damage in 15 counties throughout central and southern West Virginia from April 2, 2024 to April 6, 2024.
To access federal disaster aid, West Virginia Governor, Jim Justice, has made a request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia, submitted on May 3, 2024, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5208 (Stafford Act). We respectfully ask that you carefully review the submission that specifically requests Individual Assistance for Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne, and Wetzel Counties, and Public Assistance for Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Preston, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties. Additionally, assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has been requested statewide.
We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, and we urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover. Therefore, we kindly request that you thoroughly consider the State of West Virginia’s appeal for a major disaster declaration to address our communities’ recovery needs.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.