June 25, 2016

WV Delegation Calls on President to Grant Major Disaster Declaration

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, along with Representatives David McKinley, Alex Mooney and Evan Jenkins, sent a letter to President Obama to express their full support for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s request to declare a major disaster for the state of West Virginia as a result of the extreme flooding throughout the state. The extreme flooding has devastated 44 out of West Virginia’s 55 counties, has left thousands without power, destroyed numerous home and businesses, and claimed 23 lives.  

In their letter, the delegation urged the President to promptly review the Governor’s expedited verbal request and to continue to work with the Governor’s office as they submit additional information regarding the full scope and scale of damage resulting from this disaster.

Please read the full letter below, or click here.

Dear Mr. President:

As members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, we write to support Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s request for federal disaster assistance due to severe storms that have caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, personal property and businesses throughout West Virginia on June 23, 2016.

Several bands of severe thunderstorms moved through the State of West Virginia starting around 4:30a.m. on June 23, 2016.   These storms brought high winds and torrential downpours, causing flash flooding, rising water levels in numerous rivers and streams, power outages and downed trees. The flooding has caused severe damage and destruction to homes and businesses across the state and has stranded multiple individuals, requiring evacuations and rescues.

To date 23 lives have been lost to raging flood waters.  This toll may grow as search and rescue efforts continue throughout areas hardly accessible to emergency responders.  Homes, personal property and businesses have been ripped away from our hard working and proud citizens.  Devastating damages to roads and infrastructure have made rescue efforts nearly impossible in some areas.  

To access federal disaster aid, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has made a request for a declaration of a major disaster for the State of West Virginia. This request was submitted June 25, 2016, 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 request that you promptly review the Governor’s expedited verbal request and continue to work with the Governor’s office as they submit additional information regarding the full scope and scale of damage resulting from this disaster.

We commend the tireless efforts that local citizens and first responders continue to put forth to aid our great state in the aftermath of such severe storms and damages, and we again urge you to continue to support us in our efforts to rebuild and recover with federal disaster assistance.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

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