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CHARLESTON – Individuals in Upshur and Lewis counties will receive expedited flood relief, with President Donald Trump agreeing to approve the funding. Additional funding is being requested for other counties effected by last month’s flooding and tornados.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Monday afternoon that Trump and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved $4.5 million in expedited Individual Assistance for Lewis and Upshur counties while federal disaster officials review storm damage in five other West Virginia counties. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform.
“I just spoke with Patrick Morrisey, the GREAT Governor of West Virginia ... and told him I am approving 4.5 Million Dollars for severe storms, winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and mudslides they experienced, and are still recovering from,” Trump wrote.
“I spoke to President Trump this afternoon and thanked him for acting quickly to approve this request and deliver help to the people of West Virginia,” said Morrisey. “Families in our hardest-hit communities have endured tremendous hardship, and this expedited approval will provide critical assistance as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their lives.
According to the National Weather Service, storms in Lewis and Upshur counties dropped between 4 to nearly 8 inches of rain July 21. The storms caused catastrophic damage, washing out roads, homes and businesses. Two deaths reported in Upshur County.
The storms two weeks ago also caused extensive flood damage in Randolph County. Multiple tornadoes tore through parts of Pleasants, Tyler, Ritchie, Doddridge, Randolph and Barbour counties, snapping trees and power lines and destroying homes.
Morrisey said FEMA staff and state emergency management officials continue to document damage in effected counties, which could allow additional FEMA Individual Assistance to flow to the state.
“This is an important first step,” Morrisey said. “Approximately $4.5 million is available now, and we expect that amount to grow as additional damage information is reviewed.”
Last week, U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Jim Justice, R-W.Va., along with U.S. Reps. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., and Carol Miller, R-W.Va. sent a request to the White House for expedited disaster relief.