CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – President Donald Trump has approved West Virginia’s request for expedited federal Individual Assistance following the devastating floods that began July 21, making at least $4.5 million in immediate disaster assistance available to eligible residents in Lewis and Upshur counties.
The announcement was made Monday by Gov. Patrick Morrisey after speaking with the president.
“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,” Morrisey said. “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. This is an important first step. Approximately $4.5 million is available now, and we expect that amount to grow as additional damage information is reviewed.”
Earlier Monday, Trump announced the approval in a social media post.
“I just spoke with Patrick Morrisey, the GREAT Governor of West Virginia, a State I love and WON BIG, with Record Setting Votes, three times, 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. West Virginia is represented strongly by the Governor, Senators Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito, along with Members of Congress, Riley Moore and Carol Miller. I LOVE WEST VIRGINIA! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
According to the Governor’s Office, the expedited approval provides approximately $4.5 million in immediate federal funding for eligible homeowners and renters in Lewis and Upshur counties while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues reviewing damage information from other counties affected by the flooding.
The governor said five additional counties included in the state’s request remain under federal review.
Morrisey also thanked West Virginia’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice and U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore, for supporting the state’s request.
FEMA continues working alongside state and local officials to conduct damage assessments across affected communities. The Governor’s Office said additional federal assistance may become available as those assessments continue and more information is submitted for consideration.
West Virginia Emergency Management personnel have been working with FEMA daily to assess and document storm damage as the state seeks additional disaster assistance.
The flooding, which began July 21, caused widespread damage across central and southern West Virginia, prompting extensive emergency response efforts and recovery operations that continue in many communities.
