CHARLESTON, Wv. – When several feet of snow, days of rainfall, and high winds isolated hundreds of thousands of people with no power, no heat, and limited communication, West Virginia officials asked FEMA for help.

The request required FEMA to move mountains, so FEMA moved mountains of commodities for the West Virginia National Guard to distribute to areas that need them. The staging areas for the commodities are the Charleston and the Martinsburg National Guard facilities.

Water, meals, hygiene kits, and blankets head the list of commodities that are already on-hand or shipped throughout the state. Also included are infant toddler kits, cots and generators. Truckloads have arrived at the two sites with more arriving daily.

State and local officials are selecting sites to distribute the commodities to residents. As supplies become available, local officials can advise residents what is available and when they may be picked up.

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. Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.