March 23, 2012

Manchin Opens FEMA Office in Logan County

Manchin opens a disaster recovery center in Logan County to assist those affected by the recent severe storms that hit the surrounding areas

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) tomorrow will visit Logan County to open a Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Center to help with flooding assistance. The office is scheduled to be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Logan County is one of three counties in West Virginia that yesterday was confirmed a Presidential Disaster Declaration site.

“I am honored to visit Logan County for the opening of this FEMA office,” Senator Manchin said. “So many West Virginians have faced hardships the past few weeks as they continue to pick up the pieces from the damage and destruction they’ve encountered.

“Although the victims of this horrendous weather are showing great optimism in the storm’s wake, a disaster recovery center is critical to speed up rebuilding the homes and businesses of these affected communities.”

Background:

Earlier this month, Governor Tomblin announced that federal storm damage relief had been granted for Doddridge, Harrison, Lincoln, Marion, Mingo, Monongalia, Preston, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor and Wayne counties. Those federal funds will assist communities across the state that were affected by severe storms, tornadoes, flooding, mudslides and landslides between February 29 and March 5.

In addition to touring the damage in several counties caused by the severe storms from February 29 to March 5, Senator Manchin wrote to President Obama and spoke with Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano asking that Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's request for the declaration of a major disaster for West Virginia be granted after more severe weather hit the state March 15.

This declaration makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Logan County. At this time, individuals in Logan County can register with FEMA by calling (800) 621-3362 or apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. Those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments as well as to certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides in Lincoln, Logan and Mingo Counties.

In addition, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

**For Planning Purposes – Events Will Be Added**

Public/Media Schedule for Senator Joe Manchin

SATURDAY, March 24, 2012

Senator Manchin to open FEMA office in Logan County

When: 1 p.m.

Where: Verdunville Volunteer Fire Department, Rte. 5, 2270 Mud Fork Road, Logan

What: Senator Manchin will open a FEMA office in Logan County to assist those affected by the recent severe storms that hit around the surrounding areas.

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