WESTON, W.Va. — Lewis County officials are thankful to have additional time to file disaster assistance claims with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The request to extend the filing period for Lewis, Upshur, Ritchie, and Pleasants counties was made by Gov. Patrick Morrisey to extend the Oct. 3 deadline until Oct. 17. Morrisey announced over the weekend the extension had been granted.
Lewis-Gilmer County Department of Homeland Security Assistant Director Keith Talbert said he hopes many more residents will file claims under the extension. To date, the residents of Lewis and Upshur counties have filed more than 1,500 claims with FEMA and have been paid about $14.2 million.
Meanwhile, Talbert said the huge pile of flood debris staged near I-79 has been removed except for a couple small items, including a car or two. The West Virginia National Guard, the state Division of Highways, volunteers and businesses all had a hand in removing the debris.
“If you’ve been through Weston, you’ve obviously seen our mountain of flood debris that was piled up at exit 99,” Palmer said. “It is completely gone. We do have a few vehicles out there that we are legally trying to take care of.”
All of the businesses that have elected to open following the flood have reopened, and the Market Place Mall Distribution Center is operating by appointment only. Residents are able to access building materials through coordination with the Lewis County Family Resource Network, and the Weston Walmart that was underwater is also inching back too full operations to help support residents.
“Getting back to every business that was closed down due to the flood back open is a big one,” Palmer said. “The Walmart Fuel Center just reopened, so it’s slowly getting back to 100 percent.”
Talbert said they would accept donations of building materials, equipment, cash or labor at this point. There are nonprofits on the ground that continue coordinating cleanup and rebuilding that could also use donations of material, labor, or cash.
“We have several nonprofits that are willing to come in and do the rebuilds,” Talbert said. “We still have properties that need to be mucked out, and they are willing to do that and help the people that are trying to rebuild their homes.”
Building materials are being collected and stored for distribution, where residents can make an appointment to get supplies. All around the county and the city of Weston, there are more things returning to normal operations as recovery continues.
“It’s only available to the nonprofits,” Talbert said. “Our flood relief center out at Market Place is slowly stepping back; you now have to have an appointment.”
Donations of building materials would be crucial for many residents trying to close things up before colder weather sets in. The donations of materials will keep the nonprofit organizations busy making repairs instead of soliciting for donations.
“We need donations of construction-type things to help the nonprofits that are coming in to help people,” Talbert said. “The 2 X 4’s, plywood, drywall, and stuff like that.”