Flooding in the State of West Virginia

PHILADELPHIA – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is continuing to support response and recovery efforts in West Virginia following the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that have been affecting the state and its people. The National Weather Service has indicated that the floodwaters are receding in parts of West Virginia, but more heavy rain is expected in areas already hit hard by flooding. A flash flood watch for 22 counties has been issued until Monday evening. Heavy rains could cause some streams to breach their banks. 

To learn more about what to do before, during and after severe weather, visit www.Ready.gov.

On June 25, 2016, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia. This declaration releases federal funding to help individuals and communities recover from the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred June 22, 2016, and continuing. The request makes assistance to individuals and households in Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. The request also provides emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program for Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties. All of West Virginia is eligible for hazard mitigation grant program (HMGP) funding. 

FEMA’s main priority is to support survivors and communities in West Virginia, and as of Monday morning, over 1,000 total registrations for FEMA Individual Assistance program have been counted as a result of the Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) conducted in the area that began today. PDAs are an information gathering process that measures damages and the impact to communities. 14 PDA teams have arrived to conduct PDAs for both Public Assistance and Individual Assistance.

FEMA is working to provide commodities and support to the State of West Virginia’s distribution efforts. The agency has moved water and food supplies into West Virginia and is turning them over to West Virginia Emergency Management Agency for distribution to impacted communities. In support of the State of West Virginia, FEMA has deployed over 250 staff to the state to assist in response and recovery. An Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) has arrived to coordinate directly with the State of West Virginia and support requests for assistance.

The first Disaster Recovery Center is planned to be open soon, where survivors can go to get assistance and information. Details and confirmation will be forthcoming as soon as they are available. To support that effort, the federal agency is working to deploy Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams to impacted areas to canvas shelters and register survivors.

The State of West Virginia, the American Red Cross, FEMA and others are working together to meet any potential housing needs. Region III’s Voluntary Agency Liaison and Disability Integration Specialist has been deployed to work with and support voluntary agencies, communities, and individuals with access and functional needs.

FEMA is encouraging all individuals, households, and businesses both inside and outside of Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas Counties to document any damages they have. Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). 

• Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
• The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

AFTER A DISASTER – QUICK TIPS TO HELP YOU ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY

• Injuries may occur when people walk amid disaster debris and enter damaged buildings. Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris.
• Be aware of possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards in or around your home.
  • Contact your local city or county building inspectors for information on structural safety codes and standards and before going back to a property with downed power lines, or the possibility of a gas leak.
  • Do not touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines.
  • Report downed power lines and electrical hazards to the police and the utility company. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do work for you.

• It’s important for all residents and visitors in flood-prone and low-lying areas to continue to monitor local radio or television stations for updated emergency information and follow the instructions of state and local officials.
• Don’t put yourself at risk; follow the instructions of local officials – and if told to evacuate, do so immediately.

• If you encounter flood waters, remember – TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.
  • Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles.
  • Do not walk through flood waters. A few inches of water can sweep you off your feet.
  • When in your car, look out for flooding in low lying areas, at bridges, and at highway dips.
  • As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

• If roads are closed or there is water over a road, do not drive through the water.
  • Be prepared to take detours and adjust your route due to road closures if there is standing water.

• Ensure you have a flashlight, NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries on hand. Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.

• If your power is out, safely use a generator or candles.
  • Never use a generator inside a home, basement, shed or garage even if doors and windows are open.
  • Keep generators outside and far away from windows, doors and vents. Read both the label on your generator and the owner’s manual and follow the instructions. 
  • If using candles, please use caution. If possible, use flashlights instead. If you must use candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire.
• Outside your home or business: Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay out of any building that is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
• Avoid floodwaters; water might be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water also might be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Avoid moving water and do not attempt to drive through standing water, even if it seems shallow.
• Avoid non-essential debris removal until the storm has passed.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA Region III’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.  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.

# # #