By Charles Owens
For The Register-Herald
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — President Barack Obama declared a federal disaster Tuesday for several southern West Virginia counties, including Fayette, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Raleigh and Wyoming.
Obama ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in 15 counties that were impacted by the Dec. 18 monster storm. The storm, which struck on the week before Christmas, dumped more than a foot of wet, heavy snow upon the region. Many in the disaster region, which also includes Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Kanawha, McDowell, Mingo, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Ritchie and Roane counties, were stranded for more than 12 days without electricity and food following the storm.
In a White House press release, Obama said federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the recent winter storms.
Assistance also will be made available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency pro-active measures.
In addition, Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Raleigh and Wyoming counties are eligible for reimbursement for actions designed to protect the public, including snow removal assistance. These counties experienced record or near-record snowfall during this storm.
All counties in the state are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
Gov. Joe Manchin said he applauds President Obama and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for the quick action on the disaster request, and for the strong support from the state’s congressional delegation for expediting the declaration.
“This is a coordinated effort on all fronts — in our communities across the state, in Charleston and in Washington. With the federal declaration, we have more tools and funding to get our communities back in order.”
As more information is gathered in the coming days, the governor could request additional counties be added to this federal disaster declaration.
This federal disaster declaration is only for the December 2009 storm. The Office of Emergency Services is still gathering information for the most recent winter storms to determine whether affected regions will be eligible for a federal disaster declaration.
Area lawmakers, including Sens. Robert C. Byrd, and Jay Rockefeller and Rep. Nick Rahall, all D-W.Va., applauded the federal disaster declaration Tuesday.
“I appreciate the department’s efforts through FEMA to help my state as West Virginians dig out from the tremendous amount of snow that fell this year,” Byrd said. “I support Gov. Joe Manchin’s request for federal assistance in response to the December snowstorm, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that the February storms that packed a one-two punch are handled appropriately. ”
“We are pleased by the swift action taken by the Obama Administration in recognizing the needs of southern West Virginia communities following the severe storms we experienced in December,” Rahall added. “We look forward to working with our communities as they apply for assistance from FEMA and work towards rebuilding that which was lost.”
Rahall said additional disaster designations may be added at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. Mercer County was not included in the disaster declaration signed by Obama Tuesday.
“I applaud the Obama administration’s action issuing a major disaster declaration for West Virginia,” Rockefeller added. “While there have been state and local recovery efforts in the affected areas, federal aid will help speed the recovery process. Citizens across the state will now be ensured that their area can rebuild and move forward. My deepest gratitude goes to our first responders, National Guard, FEMA workers, and all West Virginians helping to bring aid and assistance to the snow stricken areas.”
— Charles Owens is a member of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial staff.
