West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has extended the state of emergency for several counties as flood recovery and cleanup continues. In a statement on Friday, the governor extended the proclamation for an additional 30 days for Boone, Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. The initial state of emergency was declared in mid-February after persistent, heavy rainfall causing severe flooding in the region. Three people died as a result of the flooding and several communities are still recovering from the disaster. Following the initial declaration, Morrisey reached out to get federal assistance, which was eventually granted by the Trump administration.
Since the granting of federal assistance by Trump, FEMA has opened Disaster recovery Centers and forums in which residents who have lost property can apply for aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is starting to open up disaster recovery centers in portions of southern West Virginia hit hard by winter flooding. One center opened at Bradshaw’s Town Hall in McDowell County Friday where residents are still digging out from massive flood damage. Major road repairs have been needed in the wake of flooding. So far more than $1 million in federal disaster assistance has been tapproved for more than 1,300 households in West Virginia.