Latest news with #IndividualAssistanceProgram
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
West Tennessee picks up pieces, awaits FEMA decision after severe storms
A business on Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. was completely surrounded by flood water on April 10, 2025 after torrential downpours caused the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Nearly a month after severe storms battered and flooded several West and Middle Tennessee towns, local officials and nonprofits are still helping residents pick up the pieces while awaiting the Trump administration's decision on federal aid. Gov. Bill Lee requested a major disaster declaration — which would unlock federal recovery assistance dollars for public entities and individuals — for select counties on April 17. The federal government has 30 days to respond. Damage estimates for public property and recovery services throughout West and Middle Tennessee exceed $26 million according to assessments conducted by local, state and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials. To qualify for FEMA aid, damages must be beyond the response capabilities of local and state governments. Tennessee Emergency Management Agency Assistant Director of Recovery and Mitigation Craig Hanrahan said he believes Tennessee will meet the eligibility threshold for federal public aid. But that's not a guarantee that the Trump administration will approve the disaster declaration — Arkansas, West Virginia, and Washington have seen their requests for FEMA assistance denied as the federal government pushes states to take on more recovery responsibility. Individual losses are more difficult to calculate, Hanrahan said. Around 300 homes and 14 businesses or nonprofits were severely damaged by the storms and flooding. Obion County Mayor: FEMA dollars 'would be vital' In Obion County, most of the 100-plus families who evacuated their homes have returned, Obion County Mayor Steve Carr said Wednesday. The flood water has receded, leaving an estimated $1 million in damage to local roads. Several hundred acres of farmland were rutted by the force of the water and covered in sand. This round of storms hit personal property hard, Carr said. In February, flooding devastated the small town of Rives. In April, Rives flooded again, but this time, the damage also extended to several other communities. Mission teams from churches and other organizations have helped homeowners tear out wet floors, insulation, drywall and debris. Around four families were displaced, but most residential houses should be 'in good shape' within a month or less, he said. 'We're thankful for the help they've provided these folks, because they certainly needed it,' Carr said. 'Still do.' Carr is hopeful that FEMA assistance will come through, particularly for homeowners whose properties suffered major damage. FEMA calculates individual assistance for those who apply after a disaster declaration is granted, taking things like homeowners and flood insurance into consideration, Hanrahan said. The Individual Assistance Program may help pay for rental assistance, home repairs and personal property replacement, but isn't intended to cover all individual losses, according to FEMA. Officials in affected counties are encouraging residents to document damage to their properties. If federal aid is denied, 'it's just going to be more difficult for the individuals as they try to find ways to recover from this,' Carr said. 'It would be vital to get that help, and we're certainly hoping that the declaration will come through, but we know there's a chance that it won't. We will be here to try to work with them if we can, to help any way we can.' Should Trump's administration approve Tennessee's disaster declaration request, the federal government will cover about 75% of certain recovery costs, with a 25% local match. In Tennessee, the state typically pays for half of that match, leaving local governments to make up the other 12.5% of the bill. In the absence of public assistance, counties will be on their own to figure out how to recoup the cost of repairing damage. If federal aid is denied, Tennessee will likely pursue the appeal process and lean on partnerships with nonprofits and faith-based organizations for help with recovery, Hanrahan said. TEMA also encourages local governments to form their own long-term recovery groups with charitable partners. Nearly 500 tons of debris removed from Dyersburg Dyersburg, a town with about 16,000 residents in Dyer County, saw damage from flooding and severe winds. A suspected tornado damaged 16 houses, one public building and seven businesses, totaling about $2 million, Dyersburg Mayor John Holden said. Flooding affected 121 properties inside the city limits, including 110 houses, 11 public areas, 48 businesses, five churches and a police precinct. The community has rallied to help those in need, with churches and nonprofits helping provide meals, cleaning supplies and clothing for flood victims and those assisting in recovery. South Dyersburg, where flood water covered local roadways and crept into homes, is mostly composed of rental properties, Holden said. Local organizations and church groups have helped remove soaked drywall and insulation from about 75% of the owner-occupied homes in the area, and landlords are working on their properties. 'Those that were displaced and owned their homes, we have got them assistance,' Holden said. Some are still in hotels. Bleachers and soccer goals portrude above flood water that completely covered the Dyersburg Soccer Complex in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Water covers the roadway and surrounds businesses on Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025 after torrential downpours led the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Davis Drive in Dyersburg, Tenn. is closed to traffic on April 10, 2025 due to flooding after torrential downpours caused the North Fork of the Forked Deer River to overflow. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Bleachers and soccer goals portrude above flood water that completely covered the Dyersburg Soccer Complex in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) Flood water covers parts of the roadway and front yards on residential Christie Street in Dyersburg, Tenn. on April 10, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson) The city removed nearly 127 tons of flood debris and 372 tons of debris from wind damage as of April 28. Combined, the debris is equivalent in weight to about 120 heavy-duty pickup trucks. Holden said he believes the damage in Dyersburg meets the criteria for public assistance through FEMA, which would help reimburse the city for part of what they spent on cleanup, overtime, equipment and rescue efforts. In the aftermath of the worst flood in Dyersburg's history in 2010, the city used some of the federal aid it received to install mitigation measures to lessen the impact of future floods. Lift stations at the wastewater treatment plant that were lost in 2010's flood survived this time around because the controls could be lifted several feet above the water, Holden said. Residents of a mobile home park that flooded in 2010 were relocated and the area became the Dyersburg Soccer Complex. The fields were entirely under water in early April, but usable by the end of the month. If federal assistance doesn't come through this time, the city will rely on volunteers, churches and relief organizations for help. 'We'll get it done locally, somehow, some way,' Holden said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than $19.6 million approved by FEMA
CHARLESTON — FEMA representatives have been knocking on the doors of Mercer and McDowell County residents recovering from the February flood that devastated much of the region, but now they're also calling survivors and offering help and advice. Staff from FEMA work from call centers eight hours a day, six days a week to follow up on applications submitted after a federal disaster is declared. They are now calling from an Enhanced Applicant Services center established in the Mingo County community of Williamson. Enhanced Applicant Services specialists have been calling survivors in Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming and other counties hit by the Feb. 15 flood to check on the status of their applications, identify issues that could be slowing the process, discover additional assistance for which they may be eligible, or answer any questions a survivor might want to ask. 'Basically, it's our opportunity to ID people who have applied to FEMA with needs. We can help them clarify what they need and help them understand how FEMA works,' said Federal Coordinator Officer Mark O'Hanlon. 'If they report specific damage – bridges, well, furnaces – we can create a list of those people and application services and call them and help them understand how FEMA can help them.' The FEMA specialists can help survivors applying for assistance learn what kind of documentation they may need, thus helping them get the aid they require, he said. 'They are all trained in the Individual Assistance Program,' O'Hanlon said. 'They can explain things in plain English and help them feel better.' Flood survivors can register for FEMA assistance until April 28. 'While we've been really successful, there are some folks that are thinking they have more time, but that time is running out and we don't want them to miss it,' O'Hanlon said. As of Friday, more than $19.6 million had been approved for flood victims in southern West Virginia. Around $1 million of that is based on calls made by Enhanced Applicant Services specialists, helping about 1,200 families, he said. There have been 4,113 valid registrations across southern West Virginia including: Logan County, 261 registrations; McDowell County, 1,608 registrations; Mercer County, 597 registrations; Mingo County, 889 registrations; Raleigh, 29 registrations; Wayne County, 175 registrations; and Wyoming County, 574 registrations. Enhanced Applicant Services specialists come from all over the United States and they volunteer to come to West Virginia. O'Hanlon said that as a result, the phone numbers they use often do not have the state's 304 area code. It is important for applicants to answer phone calls from FEMA, even if the caller ID is unknown, and take the opportunity to let FEMA know about their current needs and how FEMA can better serve them. Survivors should also beware of fraud calls. Only FEMA knows an applicant's nine-digit application number, so the agency's representatives can provide this number to verify it is a legitimate call. FEMA representatives never ask for money or a full Social Security number, agency officials said. Accepting FEMA funds will not affect eligibility for Social Security. – including Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income – Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or other federal benefit programs, agency officials said. Survivors whose phone numbers or email addresses have changed should provide their new contact information to FEMA. They can update their information through their account at on the FEMA app for their smartphone or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. The helpline is available seven days a week and assistance is available in most languages. Homeowners and renters in West Virginia who have questions about their FEMA application can also call the FEMA helpline. Flood survivors can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center to talk about their applications face-to-face with a FEMA representative, agency officials said. These centers are accessible to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are who are deaf or hard of hearing. Local Disaster Recover Centers are at the following locations: – Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God is located at 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton. Its hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is closed on Sundays and will be closed on April 19. – McDowell County Disaster (Bradshaw) Recovery Center #1 is located in Bradshaw Town Hall at 10002 Marshall Highway in Bradshaw. Its hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. – McDowell County (Welch) Disaster Recovery Center #2 is located in the Board of Education Building at 900 Mount View High School Road in Welch. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on Sundays. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FEMA approves Gov. Josh Stein's request to extend assistance grant deadline
Storm debris and ruined household goods are common throughout disaster areas. (Photo: Greg Childress) The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has granted Gov. Josh Stein's request for an extension for state, tribal, and local governments, as well as some non-profit organizations, to apply for its Public Assistance program. The new deadline is April 7. FEMA's Public Assistance program provides supplemental grants to help communities respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. The program — FEMA's largest grant program — provides funding for emergency assistance to save lives and to help permanently restore community infrastructure affected by a disaster. 'I am grateful to FEMA and the Trump administration for granting our request to extend the deadline to apply for this critical program,' Stein said in a press release. 'Communities across North Carolina are in need of increased federal resources to remove debris and restore public facilities, and public assistance grants have been critical to their local recovery. I encourage city and county governments and non-profits to seize the moment and apply for these grants.' The news about the Public Assistance grants comes a week after FEMA granted Stein's request for a 30-day extension for the Individual Assistance Program that provides resources directly to disaster survivors. The FEMA Public Assistance program provides reimbursement cost share funding for units of state, local, tribal, and some non-profit organizations to offset costs associated with the response and recovery from Tropical Storm Helene. Eligible government units and non-profit organizations in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians with uninsured losses from Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible to apply for FEMA assistance. Governments and non-profits can visit to apply. Disaster survivors that need assistance can still apply for FEMA assistance by visiting
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal funds to come for residents affected by flooding in four WV counties
Flooding engulfing parts of Glenwood Recreational Park near Princeton, was just one example of the widespread impact of a February 2025 storm. (Greg Jordan | Bluefield Daily Telegraph) Individuals in four West Virginia counties were approved Wednesday to receive federal grants to help them recover from devastating flooding that hit the state's southern coalfields earlier this month, according to multiple announcements. The aid — managed and disbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through its Individual Assistance Program — will provide federal funding to individuals affected by the floods in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties. The money can be used to cover costs of temporary housing for those displaced by the floods and home repairs for those who had their houses damaged, among other things. Low-cost loans will be made available to cover losses not covered by insurance and, according to a news release from FEMA, other programs could be opened to help individuals and business owners throughout recovery. Statewide, only 1.2% of residential structures in West Virginia were insured for flood damage through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program in 2024, according to data from the federal agency. That data does not include residential structures covered through private insurance. In 2018, FEMA estimated that 12% of structures in the state located in 'Special Flood Hazard Areas' carried any form of flood insurance coverage. That was less than half the national average of 30%, per FEMA. While the individual assistance was approved, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a news release that his request for aid through FEMA's Public Assistance Program was still under review. Wednesday's approval of the federal disaster declaration came more than a week after Morrisey officially requested aid from the federal government. It was also a week after a similar request for federal assistance was approved for 10 counties in Kentucky, where the same storms barreled through communities, destroying homes and taking multiple lives. A representative for FEMA said that while Kentucky and West Virginia's requests were the result of the same storm, 'every request is unique to the impacts and capabilities of the requesting state.' The starkest difference in those requests, according to FEMA, was that Kentucky put in for an expedited major disaster declaration. 'Expedited disaster declarations are generally limited to what would address immediate needs based on rapid assessments until Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) are completed and the full severity and magnitude of the event can be validated,' a spokesperson for FEMA wrote in an email response to West Virginia Watch before Wednesday's federal declaration was approved. West Virginia, comparatively, requested a non-expedited major disaster declaration, opting to use and rely on the state's own resources for immediate response efforts. Over the last week, the spokesperson for FEMA continued, the state and federal agency were working together to complete Joint PDAs. Those assessments will be used to validate damages reported by individuals and 'determine the extent of the impact and the state's capacity to respond.' The major disaster declaration also came after West Virginia's congressional delegation wrote a letter to the Trump administration urging approval for Morrisey's request. On Wednesday, the federal lawmakers lauded the good news. 'We are grateful for the efforts and service of Gov. Morrisey, local leaders, neighbors, first responders, and the West Virginia National Guardsmen who sprang into action when these storms struck,' the delegation wrote in a statement Wednesday. 'The Trump administration's approval of our state's request for federal disaster aid is welcome news for communities in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties as they work to recover and rebuild following these devastating storms, and we are glad that help will soon be on the way to southern West Virginia.' President Donald Trump's approval of the major disaster declaration will, in addition to individual assistance, provide resources for all West Virginia counties to participate in hazard mitigation planning in hopes of minimizing potential damage from future flooding events. That federal support and aid for prevention could prove critical in West Virginia, where lawmakers have repeatedly failed to allocate money to a state fund created in 2023 to help protect communities — specifically those in low-income areas — from disastrous and deadly flooding. The counties that make up West Virginia's southern coalfields are some of the poorest in the nation, according to U.S. Census data. As the threat of climate change continues to grow — bringing with it more severe weather occurrences — residents in the state's southern coalfields will be at higher risk of repeated major flooding events. According to a 2023 report by researchers at West Virginia University, 94% of West Virginia communities are considered 'Special Flood Hazard Areas,' meaning they are at high risk of flooding. More than 84,000 structures are in those areas. The coalfield counties — McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Lincoln, Boone and Wyoming — hold the highest percentage of all counties with buildings located in high-risk floodplains. A majority of those buildings, per that report, are residential. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
One dead, several missing after ‘devastating' floods hit WV's southern coalfields over the weekend
Gov. Patrick Morrisey traveled to Southern West Virginia on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, to meet with local officials and survey damage from the flooding that occurred over the weekend. (@wvgovernor X account) At least one person is dead following severe flooding in West Virginia's southern coalfields over the weekend. In a news briefing Monday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said officials were working to contact the family of the deceased before sharing any information on their identity or the circumstances of the fatality with the public. Rainfall started in the southern part of the state early Saturday and culminated over hours. Leading into Sunday, there were multiple instances of flash flooding and high water in many of the region's waterways. The damage from the storms is unlike any seen in the coalfields region in the last 20 years, local officials said. 'The Tug Fork River and the Bluestone River and some of their tributaries, they've been swollen, and they've experienced major flooding levels, which is something we haven't seen before in a very long time,' Morrisey said on Monday. 'That means that there's damage to significant numbers of structures and roads and significant evacuations [of] people to higher elevations.' Morrisey on Saturday evening declared a State of Emergency in Boone, Lincoln and Wayne counties. On Sunday evening, that state of emergency was expanded to include Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming Counties. The emergency declaration will allow responding agencies access to more resources as they work to assess and clear debris, support residents and respond to the potential threat of more incoming flooding. It also allows the state to mobilize the National Guard to help with response efforts, which several counties have already done, according to information shared by local leaders. On Monday evening — after spending the afternoon surveying damage across the region — Morrisey announced that he would be issuing a formal request to President Donald Trump for a Major Disaster Declaration in West Virginia. 'This will help unlock federal resources to support West Virginians hardest hit by the major flooding events of the past few days,' Morrisey said in a statement. Specifically, Morrisey said he would be seeking activation from the Individual Assistance Program, which provides direct service to those impacted by disasters; the Public Assistance Program, which provides funds for communities to recover from a disaster and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which helps communities create plans and recovery strategies from disasters that make future, similar circumstances less likely to occur. All those programs and funds are managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which Trump has said he wants to dismantle and instead give emergency response authority strictly to state governments. Trump on Sunday, however, did approve a request for an emergency declaration in Kentucky, where the same storm that hit Southern West Virginia washed out communities in the eastern part of the commonwealth. FEMA released a statement Monday saying the agency was 'closely coordinating' with leadership in affected states, including West Virginia and Kentucky. Staff for the federal agency were deployed to West Virginia where they are assisting in monitoring the situation and coordinating any requests that are submitted for additional federal assistance. During a news briefing Monday afternoon, Morrisey said the 'hardest hit' areas from the storm appeared to be McDowell, Mingo and Mercer counties. Responding agencies — which include those from counties and municipalities near the damaged sites — performed at least 38 swift water rescues. They worked throughout Sunday and Monday to track down and make contact with multiple residents who were believed to be missing throughout the storms. In addition to the flooding, the storm knocked out power for thousands of residents. As of 11 a.m., Morrisey said electricity was still out for approximately 30,000 people in the southern half of the state. This is especially concerning, the governor said, because of expected low temperatures that could result in freezing conditions. Emergency shelters have been set up and are operating in multiple locations for those who have been evacuated, displaced or affected by the consequences of flooding. This includes Mount View High School, Houston United Methodist Church and the Reclamation Church in McDowell County and the Mingo Field House in Mingo County. 'We already know that over 50,000 water bottles have been deployed to the affected areas,' Morrisey said. 'We're also coordinating with the Red Cross, other local charities, to make sure that all the appropriate resources can be brought to bear and leverage to help people that are most in need.' In Logan County, food and resource distributions were taking place Monday in The Dream Center, in Holden, according to social media posts from the county's Office of Emergency Management. Residents in any county should check with the Red Cross or contact their local emergency management offices for specific guidance on where to go for help and shelter if they need it. At the Legislature Monday, lawmakers from the coalfields were busy trying to organize a collection of supplies and resources for those in need in their home counties. Del. Jordan Bridges, R-Logan, said two box trailers were set up behind the Capitol building to collect supplies that will be donated to all areas affected by the devastating flooding. And during Monday's Senate floor session, Sen. Rupie Phillips, R-Logan, called the floods 'devastating' and 'unreal.' He asked those in the chamber to observe a moment of silence for people in distress and asked for the donation of cleaning supplies and bottled water for affected residents. 'Any efforts [are] deeply, deeply appreciated,' Phillips said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
