Latest news with #NateCuster
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Water has frightening power when nature weaponizes it
I got a call early Tuesday morning from Nate Custer, a media relations specialist with FEMA, about walking along with FEMA representatives going door-to-door and helping victims of the Feb. 15 flood. This idea had been discussed earlier, but I didn't expect it quite so soon. However, that's the nature of the news beast. Things come up at the last minute and you adjust your schedule. I told him I'd meet with him and the FEMA team at a hotel near Princeton. Fortunately I live in that area, so I didn't have to scramble too much. I called photographer Tara Wyatt so she wouldn't have to scramble too much and gave her the time and place. I rendezvoused with the team and Tara arrived a few minutes later. Soon we were following Custer and the FEMA team to Spanishburg and a neighborhood that Keith Gunnoe, director of the Mercer County Office of Emergency Management, had asked them to visit. It was a little ironic because I was familiar with Spanishburg's location and they were not, but their GPS didn't get confused by the mountains and we arrived at the right location near the Rich Creek Baptist Church. Over the years I've visited plenty of places that had been hit by flooding. I've seen where raging flood waters have picked up and demolished homes and swept away pickup trucks as if they were a little kid's toys. Water has frightening power when nature weaponizes it. Roads and whole hillsides are washed away and homes are lifted right off their foundations. I've been in what were once nice homes where flood waters left stinking mud all over the floors, the walls and sometimes even the ceilings. That Spanishburg neighborhood didn't have that level of devastation, but visitors could see where the flooded Bluestone River had left its mark. Debris was piled up outside of some homes where the flood had reached the homes' basements and their ground floors. Soon the FEMA team was going door-to-door, calling out 'FEMA!' and knocking on doors. They left fliers with FEMA information on doors where there were no replies. One woman who answered the knock at her door said she was glad to see the FEMA team and appreciated how they were taking time to visit flood survivors personally. Flood victims can contact FEMA at 1-800-621-23362 or register online at but not everybody is comfortable with applying over the phone or online. To offer these people another option, FEMA teams are doing personal visits and have what the agency calls Disaster Recovery Centers or DRCs so flood victims can visit the agency's representatives personally to file applications and get answers to their questions. The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Lifeline Church of God off 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton. Mercer County's center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sunday. This center will be closed March 22 and April 19 for the church's previously scheduled events. Over in McDowell County, a Disaster Recovery Center is located at Bradshaw Town Hall, 10002 Marshall Highway in Bradshaw. It's open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sunday. FEMA teams also will be helping residents with their applications at Jimmy's Hardware and Supply in McDowell County until today. The FEMA team Tara and I followed Tuesday morning were used to less-than-ideal conditions, but they accepted how that's part of their job. I've talked to flood victims while they work to clear out their homes and deal emotionally with their losses. One of the team's members, Paula Cassarino, said they need compassions because they are trying to help people who have experienced loss. They might have a little loss such as damaged or lost possessions or they might have lost their homes. It's important for these flood victims to see that they're being regarded as people and not numbers on a spread sheet. Flood recovery is underway, but the fact that local officials and federal employees from out of state are reaching out personally does make a difference. Flood victims know there are people out there who care about their situation and want to help them. This alone can help move along the healing process.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FEMA assistance climbs to $8.9 million
princeton – More than $8.9 million in federal assistance has now been approved for area flood victims, FEMA said Monday. FEMA has now approved $8,931,727 in Individual Assistance for a six county region, which includes Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties, according to Nate Custer, a media relations specialist with FEMA. That amount includes $5,560,002 for Housing Assistance and $3,371,725 for Other Needs Assistance. The federal funds are in response to the Feb. 15 flood, which caused widespread damage across the region. This FEMA aid included 2,735 valid registrations. Broken down by county, McDowell County had the most registrations with 1,168 followed by Mingo County with 615. Mercer County had 410 registrations followed by 394 in Wyoming County, 85 in Wayne County and 80 in Logan County. Mitigation and Disaster Survivor Assistance staff in McDowell County are at Jimmy's Hardware and Supply in Roderfield to help residents with their Individual Assistance applications, provide information about rebuilding their homes and share resources on safe clean-up procedures, agency officials said. Flood victims needing help with food now have another route to aid which started Monday. The West Virginia Department of Human Services announced that West Virginia residents who lived or worked in Mercer, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties and were impacted by the Feb. 15 flood may be eligible for USDA's Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance, D-SNAP, benefits beginning Monday through March 21. FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties. • The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God on 250 Oakvale Road in Princeton. Mercer County's center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sunday. This center will be closed March 22 and April 19 for the church's previously scheduled events. • The McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center is located at Bradshaw Town Hall, 10002 Marshall Highway in Bradshaw. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sunday. • The Wyoming County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Wyoming County Courthouse on 24 Main Avenue in Pineville. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed Sundays. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA assistance climbs to over $6.3 million
bradshaw — Victims of the Feb. 15 flood that devastated much of southern West Virginia were being reminded Thursday that they still need to apply for assistance even as FEMA announced that over $6.3 million of Individual Assistance had been approved over a five-county area. FEMA has approved $6,326,934 for Individual Assistance which includes $3,835,815 for Housing Assistance and $2,491,119 for Other Needs Assistance, Nate Custer, a Media Relations Specialist with FEMA, said Thursday. There had been 2,234 valid registrations for assistance as of Thursday. McDowell County had 1,019 registrations followed by 537 in Mingo County; 355 in Mercer County; 340 in Wyoming County; 56 in Wayne County; and 34 in Logan County. Residents of McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Logan, Wayne and Wyoming counties whose primary residences were damaged by the floods of Feb. 15 to Feb. 18 may be eligible to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The deadline to apply is April 28. Flood victims that have registered their damages through a state survey still need to register for FEMA Individual Assistance, agency officials said. The information from the state survey was used to help the damage assistance teams scope the extent of the damages; however, residents in the designated counties must additionally apply for FEMA assistance and may receive help with expenses related to essential items, temporary housing, home repairs, and other needs as a result of the flood. There are four ways for flood victims to apply for FEMA assistance. • Visit • Download the FEMA App. • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. • Phone lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. People that use a relay service such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service should provide FEMA their number for that service. • Speak with someone in person at a Disaster Recovery Center. At a Disaster Recovery Center, flood victims can get help applying for federal assistance, update their applications and learn about other resources available. Centers in the area include: • The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God at 250 Oakvale Road in Princeton. Its hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed Sunday. It will be closed Saturday, March 15, March 22 and April 19. • The McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center is located at Bradshaw Town Hall, 10002 Marshall Highway in Bradshaw. Its hours of operation are Monday to Saturday form 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sundays. • The Wyoming County Disaster Recover Center is located at the Wyoming Courthouse on 24 Main Avenue in Pineville. Its hours of operation are Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed on Sundays. FEMA is warning residents in flood areas to beware of scammers. Agency officials said the FEMA staff can be recognized the following ways: • FEMA representatives never charge a fee or ask for payment for disaster assistance, inspections, or help filling out applications. • FEMA staff carry a photo ID badge. • People who aren't sure if someone works for FEMA can call the helpline at 800-621-3362. Flood victims who have insurance should file a claim as soon as possible, agency officials said. FEMA cannot pay for losses that insurance will cover. When filling for FEMA assistance, flood victims will be asked to provide: • A description of the damage • contact information, including their current phone number and your 911 address where they can currently be reached. • Their 911 address at the time of disaster • Their Social Security number • Their contact information • For people who have insurance, their policy number, agent or company • Their annual household income • Their bank account information, if they would like to receive direct deposit People who have already applied for FEMA assistance and have questions about the status of their application or about appealing a FEMA determination letter they have received can visit a Disaster Recovery Center for one-on-one assistance or call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers in McDowell County Tuesday
war — Mobile FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are scheduled to open in two McDowell County locations Tuesday to assist residents still working to recovery from the devastating Feb. 15 flood. The mobile FEMA centers are scheduled to be open today in the community of Panther and the city of War to help flood victims apply for federal assistance, according to the McDowell County Commission. A FEMA mobile unit will be set up today at Grants Supermarket in War from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A second FEMA mobile unit will be open today at the Panther Missionary Baptist Church at 362 Greenbrier Mountain Road from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Bradshaw Town Hall, according to a FEMA announcement. Nate Custer, media relations specialist with FEMA, said the McDowell County center in Bradshaw will be open until further notice. Offering the opportunity to speak with FEMA representatives in person, the Bradshaw center will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday. McDowell County is one of four counties including Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming included in a federal disaster declaration from President Donald Trump. FEMA assistance for nine other counties including Raleigh, Greenbrier, Summers, Wayne, Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln and Logan is still being evaluated by FEMA. A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center also opened Monday at the Wyoming County Courthouse at 25 Main Avenue in Pineville. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Flood survivors are encouraged to bring documentation, especially if they have not yet applied for FEMA assistance. This documentation can be things like a deed, apartment lease or a utility bill showing that the home or apartment is the applicant's primary address, said Nate Custer said, media relations specialist for FEMA. People seeking FEMA assistance can visit the Disaster Recovery Center more than once if they have questions about their applications. Some applicants are more comfortable speaking with FEMA representatives in person, Custer said. They are not limited to one visit. Flood survivors also are not limited to visiting the FEMA center in their home county. They can go to any FEMA center that is open, Custer said. For example, flood survivors that live in one county but work in another can visit the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center closer to their workplace if that is more convenient. A representative of the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center as well as FEMA. FEMA also has opened a Disaster Recovery Center at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God at 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton. FEMA operated out of the church until Feb. 14 when the agency was helping residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024 apply for assistance. The most recent flood occurred the day after it closed. The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be closed on Sunday, according to FEMA's announcement. The center will also be closed on March 15, March 22 and April 19 for the church's previously scheduled events. Disaster Recovery Centers are open to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision and those who are who are deaf or hard of hearing. Flood survivors do not have to visit a recovery center to register with FEMA. People can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. Flood survivors seeking assistance can also register online at or through the FEMA app on their cellphone. For more information on West Virginia's disaster recovery, visit West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, and The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Monday that additional SBA Recovery Centers are opening in Mercer County and McDowell County. The Mercer County Business Recovery Center opens today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. After today, it will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays. The McDowell County Business Recovery Center will open Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the National Guard Armory at 600 Stewart Street in Welch. After this coming Wednesday, it will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be closed Sundays. SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Centers to answer questions about the federal agency's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but people can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at The U.S. Small Business Administration also has opened a Business Recovery Center at the Princeton Public Library at 920 Mercer Street. This center will be remaining open. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., then Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be closed on Sunday. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disaster center opening to aid McDowell County flood victims
bradshaw — Starting at 8 a.m. today, FEMA will be opening a Disaster Recovery Center in McDowell County to help residents struggling after the Feb. 15 flood apply for federal disaster aid. The McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center, also referred to as a DRC, will be opening at Bradshaw Town Hall, according to a FEMA announcement issued Thursday. It is located at 10002 Marshall Highway in Bradshaw. Nate Custer, media relations specialist with FEMA, said the McDowell County center will be open until further notice. How long it will remain open will depend on how many people impacted by the flood use it. Offering the opportunity to speak with FEMA representatives in person, the center will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sunday. McDowell County is one of four counties including Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming included in a major disaster declaration which was requested by Gov. Patrick Morrisey and later approved by President Donald Trump. FEMA assistance for nine other counties including Raleigh, Greenbrier, Summers, Wayne, Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln and Logan was still being evaluated Thursday by FEMA. Flood survivors are encouraged to bring documentation, especially if they have not yet applied for FEMA assistance. This documentation can be things like a deed, apartment lease or a utility bill showing that the home or apartment is the applicant's primary address, Custer said. People seeking FEMA assistance can visit the Disaster Recovery Center more than once if they have questions about their applications. 'Some people are more comfortable talking face-to-face,' Custer said. 'You're not limited to one visit.' Flood survivors also are not limited to visiting the FEMA center in their own county. 'You don't have to go to the center in your county,' Custer said. 'You can go to any of them that are open.' For example, flood survivors that live in one county but work in another can visit the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center closer to their workplace if that is more convenient, he said. A representative of the U.S. Small Business Administration will be at the McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center as well as FEMA. 'We like to use the term one-stop shopping,' Custer said. FEMA opened a Disaster Recovery Center Tuesday at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God at 250 Oakvale Road near Princeton. FEMA operated out of the church until Feb. 14 when the agency was helping residents impacted by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024 apply for assistance. The most recent flood occurred the day after it closed. The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be closed on Sunday, according to FEMA's announcement. The center will also be closed on March 15, March 22 and April 19 for the church's previously scheduled events. Disaster Recovery Centers are open to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision and those who are who are deaf or hard of hearing. Flood survivors do not have to visit a recovery center to register with FEMA. People can call 800-621-FEMA (3362). The toll-free telephone line operates seven days a week. People using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others should give FEMA their number for that service. Flood survivors seeking assistance can also register online at or through the FEMA app on their cellphone. For more information on West Virginia's disaster recovery, visit West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, and The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center Monday at the Princeton Public Library at 920 Mercer Street. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., then Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will be closed on Sunday. SBA representatives answer questions about the agency's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but in-person appointments can be scheduled in advance at Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan, SBA officials said. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan. With the changes to FEMA's Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover, SBA officials said. To apply online, visit Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@ for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 28. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 26. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
