FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency

07/05/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/05/2024 13:08

FEMA Assistance Available for West Virginia Survivors following April Storms

July 5, 2024

DR-4787-WV NR001

FEMA News Desk: 215-931-5597

[email protected]

News Release

FEMA Assistance Available for West Virginia Survivors following April Storms

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - If you are a West Virginian who sustained damage from the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from April 11-12, 2024, you may be eligible for disaster assistance under FEMA's Individuals and Households Program.

Residents of Hancock, Kanawha, Marshall, Ohio, Roane, Wetzel, and Wood counties are eligible to apply for assistance from FEMA to help with costs from damage and losses caused by the April 11-12, 2024, storms. Applicants may qualify for rental assistance, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other eligible expenses related to storm damage. FEMA assistance may be available to residents with and without insurance coverage.

If residents of these counties have already registered with FEMA since May 22, 2024, and indicated they had damages during the April 11-12 storm, they should visit a disaster recovery center or call FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Staff will be able to assist survivors in updating their registrations, uploading documents, and answering questions.

Deadline to register is Sept. 3, 2024.

How to Apply for FEMA Assistance

You can register with FEMA in several ways, including: online at DisasterAssistance.gov, downloading the FEMA App for mobile devices, calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). Visit one of our Disaster Recovery Centers For a list of locations and more information visit the DRC Locator.

Help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, such as video relay (VRS), captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA the number for that service. To view an accessible video about how to apply, visit: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

Displacement Assistance or Lodging Expense Reimbursement

You may be eligible for either Displacement Assistance or Lodging Expenses Reimbursement for immediate housing needs required in the immediate aftermath of the severe storms.

Displacement Assistance is a one-time payment. FEMA may provide up to two weeks of funds for temporary lodging at a hotel, motel, or the home of friends or family. Alternatively, FEMA may reimburse out-of-pocket, temporary lodging expenses through Lodging Expenses Reimbursement.

Rental Assistance for Temporary Housing

If you currently reside in Hancock, Kanawha, Marshall, Ohio, Roane, Wetzel, and Wood counties and suffered damage to your primary residence, FEMA may be able to provide rent for a temporary place to live while you are displaced. Rental assistance is intended to cover monthly rent, security deposit and cost of essential utilities such as electricity and water.

Major Repairs and Out-of-Pocket Expenses

FEMA's Individuals and Households Program assistance is intended to help jumpstart your recovery. Here are some examples of basic needs:

Home Repair Assistance may be provided to homeowners to repair the structural parts of your home.

This includes windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinets, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning

system (HVAC), utilities (electrical, plumbing and gas systems) and entrance ways. This includes assistance for

accessibility-related property and items such as exterior ramps, grab bars, and paved paths. FEMA may also reimburse for the actual cost to repair or replace your furnace, private well and septic system damaged or destroyed by the disaster.

Other Needs Assistance

Other Needs Assistance may be provided to homeowners and renters for eligible uninsured property or items your insurance doesn't cover, such as:

  • Serious Needs Assistance for essential items, including water, food, first aid, prescriptions, infant formula, diapers, consumable medical supplies, durable medical equipment, personal hygiene items and fuel for transportation.
  • Personal Property Assistance: repair or replacement of household items that are necessary for daily living including household appliances such as a refrigerator, bedroom furniture, a household computer, wheelchairs, or items needed for a member of the household with a disability, and tools and electronics required for school or work including for those who are self-employed.
  • Medical and dental expenses; funeral and burial costs.
  • Personally owned, disaster-damaged cars and trucks in need of replacement or repairs.
  • The purchase or rental expense of generators used at a primary residence to power necessary equipment for an existing medical condition.

For more information on West Virginia's disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov,West Virginia Emergency ManagementDivision Facebook page,www.fema.gov/disaster/4787, and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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FEMA's mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3's jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).