PHILADELPHIA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region III continues to support survivors and communities across West Virginia as they recover from the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred in June 2016. Through our engagement with and support to state and local agencies, including the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM), non-profits such as West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (WV VOAD), and communities, FEMA remains committed to the state’s long term recovery. 
As of June 6, 2018, FEMA has provided:
- $42,352,271 to individuals and households under Individual Assistance (IA) programs to help them recover from the floods;
- $120,423,080 in Public Assistance (PA) program funding to state and local entities to help West Virginia rebuild and pay for eligible disaster-related costs; and
- $48,305,079 in insurance payments to homeowners, businesses and communities through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Throughout FEMA Region III’s continued efforts, partnerships have played an invaluable role in long-term recovery. “FEMA continues to open doors with new partners and potential programs for long term recovery,” MaryAnn Tierney, FEMA Region III Regional Administrator said. “Our joint efforts have emphasized some of the most useful tools in long recovery – knowledge and resources. An open door of communication between agencies and communities has become the norm and FEMA is committed to support West Virginia throughout this process.” This same effort is also being applied to school rebuilding, bridges and other public infrastructure projects, including hazard mitigation.
Mitigation efforts across the state also reflect FEMA’s commitment to West Virginia. Funding from FEMA and other agency programs, including parts of $52 million provided through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), are helping families and communities in West Virginia to reduce the impact of future floods and keep families in their homes and communities. On June 7, Governor Jim Justice announced more than $6.6 million in HMPG funding was awarded to the state and nine counties affected by the floods to fund a statewide risk assessment process, reconstructing, elevating and acquiring homes, and mitigating public infrastructure such as waste water collection/drainage systems. “Residents are able to work with us, FEMA and their community to have a new home built that is elevated,” said West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM) Director Jimmy Gianato. “Homeowners can stay in their communities while also reducing their flood risk, and this wouldn’t be possible without our close coordination.”
As long-term recovery moves forward in West Virginia, FEMA Region III will build upon successful collaboration with our partners to seek new and innovative ways to use FEMA’s programs and networks to enhance West Virginia’s resilience now and into the future. “We are all part of the team,” said Tierney. “These projects, and our combined efforts, are based in the heart of West Virginia communities, and together we will continue to recover.” Together, in partnership with the State, communities, local officials, and other agencies and nonprofits, FEMA will continue to help West Virginia recover.
FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Learn more about FEMA Region III at www.FEMA.gov/region-iii. Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts are available at fema.gov/medialibrary and youtube.com/fema. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion3.
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