BECKLEY — Gov. Joe Manchin, Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall have sent requests to the president for a federal disaster declaration for Greenbrier, Mercer, Summers, Fayette, Kanawha and Raleigh counties in the wake of last weekend’s flooding.

If the president approves the disaster request, public assistance would be coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The services could include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for affected individuals.

“The recent flooding has caused great hardship to the lives of many West Virginians,” Rockefeller said in a statement. “The damages caused ... by high winds, heavy rains, snow melt, flooding and landslides are beyond the magnitude of the capabilities of the state and local governments to adequately repair damages alone.

“The impact of West Virginia solely funding the response and assistance to this disaster would certainly overwhelm the state’s economic resources as well as its ability to provide disaster assistance to its citizens.”

Meanwhile, about 15 National Guard troops from the 130th Airlift Wing in Charleston began a massive flood debris pickup in Raleigh County Wednesday. Sgt. Jason Lopez said troops had begun in the Beaver area and had already hauled away more than 75 tons of debris by early Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s everything from people’s sofas, clothes or anything on the bottom floors or basements. We’re picking it up,” he said.

He noted the Raleigh County residents have been receptive and especially friendly toward Guard members. While the Guard is there to help them, they want to make sure the troops are OK.

“They want to do anything to help us when we’re there to help them,” Lopez said. “They’re more concerned for our welfare than their own. Beaver is a small community, and everyone is working to help one another out. That’s awesome.”

Marty Agee, deputy director of the Raleigh County Emergency Operations Center, emphasized the flood debris pickups will only be available for a limited time. The pickups should continue today, starting in Beaver, moving to the Sullivan Camp area, then going to Mabscott.

All who want debris picked up, she said, must move the debris onto curbsides. National Guard members cannot enter private property to remove items. Anyone who has not reported flood damage should call the EOC at 304-255-9312. Information already collected has been sent to the proper entities. Anyone whose properties are insured should also contact their insurance companies.

Raleigh County sheriff’s Sgt. Larry Lilly said deputies are investigating three burglaries in flooded areas of Beaver — Violet Lane, Pitzer Court and First Street.

Anyone with information about the crimes is urged to call the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department at 304-255-9300 or Crime Stoppers at 304-255-7867.

Multiple callers to The Register-Herald have reported looting in the flooded areas. But authorities have not received reports of widespread thefts.

“We haven’t validated that, and we haven’t been able to substantiate that,” Agee said.

Agee noted some may mistake people cleaning out their homes as looters. But if people see looting, they are encouraged to call authorities. She advised being as precise as possible about what is happening and suspect/vehicle descriptions.

— E-mail: apridemore@ register-herald.com