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Federal Disaster Declaration Issued for W.Va. Counties Affected by Storms

The declaration provides cost-sharing assistance statewide through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to support efforts to prevent or reduce long-term risks from natural hazards.

(TNS) - President Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration to areas in West Virginia affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides.

According to a news release from the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, the declaration approves federal assistance to affected people in Harrison, Marion, Marshall and Wetzel counties. It also provides public assistance to those counties as well as Doddridge, Monongalia, Ohio, Preston, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Tyler counties.

The declaration provides cost-sharing assistance statewide through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to support efforts to prevent or reduce long-term risks from natural hazards.

Gov. Jim Justice requested the major disaster declaration Aug. 10 after joint state-FEMA damage assessment teams in the four most severely hit counties identified 161 homes destroyed or seriously damaged. Another 557 were identified with minor damage or otherwise unaffected.

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which is part of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, will continue to coordinate with FEMA and other federal officials for the delivery of the approved disaster assistance, the release said.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area could apply for assistance by Aug. 19 by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.

Email: alannom@

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