AUBURN, W.Va. — A large number of the residents of the Ritchie County town of Auburn are eligible for FEMA grants to help cover at least some of the cost of their losses in the July flooding. However, many have been reluctant to applying for the funding.
“I know there’s more people in the area that need the assistance, but they are intimidated a little bit by coming to apply. Well, applying doesn’t mean your obligated,” said Sheriff Bryan Davis.
He and other county leaders, have been trying to encourage more people to take advantage of the help while they can. He said one of the misconceptions he and FEMA agents are battling is the misunderstanding about the difference in loans and grants. He stressed the money being offered under the federal disaster declaration from FEMA is a grant and will not have to be repaid.
“I think people are a little bit skittish about the FEMA process. You’re not obligated to pay anything. It’s a grant, you’re not going to have to pay anything back to FEMA,” the Sheriff explained.
The small town had multiple homes destroyed or heavily damaged as the stream which flows through the center of the small community rose into the streets and then into the local homes. Hardly any structures in the small community weren’t affected in some manner. A few homes outside of Auburn were also heavily damaged or destroyed.
Sheriff Davis is at the recovery center which is located in Auburn for a couple of more days. It’s open each day at 7 a.m. They’ ll be there until closing time Saturday evening. Several who have applied have already gotten the funds from FEMA. Victims can sit down with an agent and go through the process step by step with plenty of assistance. You can also apply online at FEMA.gov, download the FEMA app and apply that way, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.