OHIO COUNTY, W.Va. –More than a month after devastating flooding tore through two counties, federal assistance is finally on the way.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Ohio and Marion Counties, which experienced flash flooding on June 14 and 15. The floods killed nine people, destroyed 37 homes, damaged another 150 and swept away 70 vehicles in Ohio County alone.
Heavily affected areas include Wheeling, Triadelphia, Elm Grove, and Valley Grove.
With this declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA can now provide individuals with both short- and long -term assistance.
Ohio County Emergency Management Director Lou Vargo said that he was relieved to hear the news, as it means they can now begin helping those who suffered losses.
“It’s just great news so that we can get them rebuilt, get them through the recovery process, and get them home and back to some type of normal life,” Vargo said.
Senator Ryan Weld, speaking on MetroNews Midday Wednesday afternoon, said two types of assistance programs are now available for affected individuals.
The Individual Assistance Program primarily covers housing-related costs, including cost of temporary housing whether through rental or hotel rooms, as well as home repairs and replacement. The Other Needs Assistance Program helps with personal property, medical and dental expenses, childcare, legal services, and other costs resulting from flooding.
Weld said that although the approval for assistance took longer than hoped, the focus now should be on recovery, as help is finally on the way.
“I think the important thing is that it is now here and people can start submitting their applications and start working on recouping their losses,” he said.
Federal officials did not receive the full application until July 3rd, despite earlier reports stating it had been submitted on June 27.
Vargo said the amount of support they’ve received has been tremendous.
“Just response of great people not only here in the panhandle or the upper Ohio Valley but resources come from outside the country, it’s been overwhelming, monetary donations from all over,” he said. “It’s just amazing the response we get.”
According to Ohio County Emergency Management Deputy Director Tony Campbell, one volunteer who stepped up was Ada Davis. Campbell said she helped coordinate, deliver and keep track of supplies coming into Valley Grove and helped keep emergency services in contact with Valley Grove’s Fire chief while they didn’t have a lot of service.
Davis, who appeared on Midday alongside Vargo and Campbell, said that volunteering felt right.
“It’s just what I feel like I should have done, I have a lot of friends in the community, and I live in the outlining area but a lot of friends down there and I grew up in a flood zone area, never any of what I’ve seen there in Valley Grove,” she said.
Davis added that, in addition to coordinating supplies, she also tried to support anyone who experienced loss.
“I heard a lot of sad stories, and I knew some of the victims, but I still wanted to be there for them,” she said.
Vargo said that since the flooding, significant progress has been made in the cleanup efforts. Most of the major debris has been removed, he noted, though work is still ongoing.
“Right now, most of that has been removed but the houses that have major damage where they have to take out drywall and things like that, that’s still going,” he said.
Individuals are encouraged to first file a claim with their insurance provider and then apply for assistance.
Those wishing to apply can either apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.
Vargo said that, at this time, it’s uncertain how much money will be distributed since the funds are shared between the two counties. However, he encourages residents to apply for all the assistance they qualify for and to trust FEMA officials
“I’ve just been telling everybody, these are the people that are coming in and there going to know the requirements of the grant process, they’re going to know what’s eligible, and what’s ineligible and just apply for everything and there make those final decisions,” he said.