CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Residents in Kanawha, Fayette and Harrison counties will learn over the next few days about the establishment of Disaster Recovery Centers following August flooding that is now part of a federal disaster declaration.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Wednesday night that President Donald Trump has signed a declaration for individual assistance for those three counties for flooding that happened Aug. 16-18.
Kanawha County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman credits flood victims for completing and turning in damage surveys.
“I think we met he thresholds because the public responded to our surveys very well,” Sigman said. “We were able to get that information to the state who then sent it on to FEMA.”
There were 17 homes destroyed in Kanawha County on Aug. 16.
“The damage was kind of spread out from one end to the other,” Sigman said. “The geography cover was pretty big.”
Several Charleston communities were hit hard along with areas of Campbells Creek, Cross Lanes and Cabin Creek.
Harrison County Emergency Management Director Pegi Bailey said she’s thank victims of the Aug. 17-18 floods will now get to speak individually with FEMA.
“They’re going to at least get to tell their tale, shake it up and see what happens,” Bailey told MetroNews. “This is what you wait for, you hope to get a declaration because sitting around and waiting is worse than begin in the storm really.”
Bailey and Sigman both said work is underway to establish several DRCs where flood victims can meet with FEMA reps face-to-face. Flood victims in those counties can sign-up now for assistance by downloading the FEMA app, going to disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.
Sigman said even if you don’t think you had a lot of damage it’s important apply.
“I know a lot of people suffered not catastrophic damage but it was still pretty bad. Sit down and talk with the folks. Every time I’ve been in a Disaster Recovery Center there are nice people there who really want to help you out,” Sigman said.
Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said he’s thankful flood victims are going to get some help.
“It takes so much effort to get that declaration but it makes it easier to get money to the people and provide some relief,” Salango said Thursday.
Overall numbers from the three counties, 21 homes were destroyed, 60 sustained major damage, 261 had minor damage, and 281 others were affected in some way. The state projects will take $4.5 million in individual assistance, according to the assessments made by the state. The lone flood-related fatality was in Fayette County.