CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey has requested a Presidential Emergency Disaster Declaration for West Virginia ahead of a severe winter storm expected to impact the entire state this weekend.
In a statement issued Friday from Charleston, Patrick Morrisey announced that he formally asked President Donald Trump to issue the declaration in advance of the storm, which is forecast to affect all 55 counties beginning Saturday, January 24, 2026.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall, significant ice accumulation, and dangerously cold temperatures, creating potentially life-threatening conditions.
State officials say West Virginia’s mountainous terrain and narrow transportation routes increase the likelihood that some communities could become isolated and that critical infrastructure could be disrupted.
Because of the anticipated severity, Governor Morrisey declared a statewide State of Emergency on Friday, January 23.
State officials said the decision followed consultations with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security.
According to the governor’s office, a Presidential Emergency Declaration would allow federal resources to be staged in advance of the storm and enable assistance to be delivered more quickly if conditions worsen.
State and local agencies continue preparations as the winter storm approaches.
