November 14, 2024

West Virginia Delegation Pushes for Major Disaster Declaration Approval

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), along with U.S. Representatives Carol Miller (R-WV) and Alex Mooney (R-WV), urged U.S. President Joe Biden and FEMA Region III Administrator MaryAnn Tierney to consider the State of West Virginia’s appeal for a major disaster declaration. Severe weather events during Hurricane Helene, including heavy rains, high winds and flooding, caused extensive damage throughout southern West Virginia from September 25, 2024 to September 28, 2024.

“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 as a result of Hurricane Helene,” the lawmakers wrote in part. “We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, and 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.”

The full letter is available below or here.

Dear President Biden and Regional Administrator Tierney,

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 as a result of Hurricane Helene.

Severe storms including heavy rains, straight-line winds, and flooding, washed through our State causing widespread damage in counties throughout southern West Virginia from September 25, 2024 to September 28, 2024.

To access federal disaster aid, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has made a request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia, submitted on October 25, 2024, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5208 (Stafford Act). We respectfully ask that you carefully review the submission that specifically requests Individual Assistance for Mercer and Raleigh Counties, and additionally requests assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide.

We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, and 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. Therefore, we kindly request that you thoroughly consider the State of West Virginia’s appeal for a major disaster declaration to address our communities’ recovery needs.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.