Details released about FEMA presence in Upshur County
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BUCKHANNON - City of Buckhannon and Upshur County officials have released information about the upcoming FEMA presence in flood-ravaged Upshur County.
"FEMA representatives will be arriving in Upshur County soon to meet with residents, assist with applications, and help document storm‑related losses," a city/county press release states. Earlier this week, it was announced that $4.5 million in federal funding will be coming to Upshur and Lewis counties.
"FEMA and state officials are currently coordinating locations in Buckhannon where residents will be able to speak with personnel directly," the release reads. "We will announce the exact location and hours as soon as FEMA confirms them."
An official release from FEMA also provided some details.
"FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of West Virginia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides from July 21-22, 2026," the FEMA release states.
"The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Lewis and Upshur counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the disaster.
"Individuals and families who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service," the release states.
"Mark K. O'Hanlon has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments."
Local officials said on Wednesday that operations at the joint Lewis-Upshur County Donation & Distribution Center, located at the Market Place Plaza in Weston, will continue Mondays through Fridays. Officials said current high‑need items include fans, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant and dehumidifiers.
The West Virginia National Guard and West Virginia Department of Highways crews are working daily to collect flood‑related debris in Buckhannon and Upshur County. Residents are urged to move all flood‑related debris to the edge of their property line, as neither Guard members nor WVDOH staff are permitted to enter private property.
Anyone who has been affected by flooding needs to fill out a West Virginia Damage Assessment Survey, officials said. The survey can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/FloodDamageSurvey2026.
A Buckhannon/Upshur County release Wednesday stated, "As we await additional guidance from FEMA, residents are encouraged to complete the survey that best meets their needs:
*Assistance Recovering from Flood Damage Survey
* Volunteer to Help Form
* Housing Needs Survey
* Business Impact Survey."