CHARLESTON, W.Va.– West Virginia has taken significant steps toward recovery following the April 11-12, 2024, severe storms, floods and landslides, according to FEMA.

More than 160 days after the May 24, 2024, presidential disaster declaration, FEMA says the response to help West Virginia’s disaster survivors is close to $3 million.

To date, survivors have received more than $2.9 million in federal disaster assistance for a variety of recovery purposes.

• More than $2.1 million in grants have been approved to make essential repairs for homes to be safe, secure and functional and for a place to stay for homeowners and renters whose residences were uninhabitable.
• More than $829,000 in grants has gone to homeowners and renters to repair and replace certain household items and for disaster-related medical and dental expenses.
• More than $925,000 of the $2.9 million in grants approved was the result of follow-up communications from FEMA staff to help submit missing documentation and identify additional recovery needs.
• With the average grant totaling more than $7,660, West Virginians are well above the national average for disaster grant awards, according to FEMA
• Homeowners, renters and businesses have received more than $226,000 in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to repair, rebuild and replace damaged property and contents. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other sources.
• NFIP policyholders have received more than $200,000 in claims to repair and rebuild flood-damaged property.

FEMA says it worked closely with state and local emergency management and regional planning and development councils in identifying impacted communities in the affected counties, as well as locating disaster recovery center sites to help residents affected by the floods and landslides apply for federal assistance. Applicants at the recovery centers frequently cited word of mouth and news broadcasts leading to their visits.

“I can’t say enough about how important our relationships were with local and state partners in getting assistance to our survivors,” Deputy Disaster Recovery Manager James Young said. “The support in reaching out to individuals and affected communities has been both inspiring and instrumental in carrying out our mission”

“Recovery is a long journey, and the progress we’ve seen in these 160 days is a testament to the resilience and unity of West Virginians,” said GE McCabe, Director of the West Virginia Emergency Management Division. “The progress is only possible through the combined efforts of our federal, state, and local partners, as well as community organizations and every resident who has stepped up to help. We remain dedicated to supporting our communities every step of the way, ensuring a stronger, safer future for all impacted by these disasters.”

The following highlights recovery progress made in the 160 days since the disaster was declared and how disaster survivors and affected communities are overcoming challenges:

• Survivors in 11 counties – Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne and Wetzel – were immediately eligible to apply for help under FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program.
• Local, county and state government infrastructure and certain private nonprofit organizations in ten counties – Boone, Brooke, Doddridge, Gilmer, Hancock, Lincoln, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler and Wetzel– were eligible to receive funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program to repair and rebuild certain eligible disaster-damaged facilities. Seventy-seven projects are in development for state and local entities covering a range of public works from water infrastructure to road repair and debris removal.
• More than 698 West Virginia households have registered with FEMA for assistance

FEMA says it continues to collaborate with community partners to find solutions to enable West Virginia’s recovery.