CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey is seeking federal disaster assistance for seven West Virginia counties in the aftermath of last Tuesday’s storms that included tornadoes and disastrous flooding.
Morrisey’s request to President Donald Trump for both individual and public assistance covers Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Upshur counties.
Morrisey has filed for an expedited request for a major disaster declaration in hopes getting action quickly from President Trump. The state’s congressional delegation has sent a letter of support.
“Our state has mobilized every available resource to protect lives, support affected families, and begin the recovery process,” Morrisey said in a Saturday news release. “While West Virginians have shown extraordinary resilience and neighbors have stepped up to help neighbors, the scope of this disaster exceeds what our state and local communities can reasonably manage alone. Federal assistance is essential to help families recover, restore critical public infrastructure, and rebuild stronger for the future.”
Morrisey visited Pleasants and Upshur counties Saturday.
According to Morrisey’s office that if approved, the federal disaster declaration “would provide assistance to eligible homeowners, renters, businesses, and local governments while making additional mitigation resources available to help reduce the impact of future disasters.”
Morrisey said he could amend his original request in the coming weeks.