Charleston Leader

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), together with U.S. Representatives Carol Miller (R-W.Va.) and Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), have called on President Joe Biden and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III Administrator MaryAnn Tierney to consider the State of West Virginia’s appeal for a major disaster declaration. This appeal comes in response to severe weather events that occurred from April 2, 2024, to April 6, 2024, causing significant damage in 15 counties throughout central and southern West Virginia.

The lawmakers expressed their support for Governor Jim Justice's request for a major disaster declaration, stating: “As members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, we write in support of Governor Jim Justice’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia following recent severe weather events.” They further commended the dedication of state and local first responders as well as volunteers but emphasized that the demand for aid remains substantial.

Governor Justice submitted his request for a major disaster declaration on May 3, 2024, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The submission specifically requests Individual Assistance for Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, Marshall, Nicholas, Ohio, Putnam, Wayne, and Wetzel Counties; Public Assistance for Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Preston, Tyler; and Wetzel Counties; as well as statewide assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

In their letter to President Biden and Regional Administrator Tierney, the lawmakers reiterated their call for federal support: "We urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover." They requested thorough consideration of West Virginia's appeal to address recovery needs within their communities.