CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK)—On Thursday, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Representatives David McKinley (WV-1), Alex Mooney (WV-2) and Carol Miller (WV-3) called on President Biden to grant Governor Jim Justice’s request for a federal disaster declaration.
Heavy rains between February 27 and March 4 caused flooding, landslides and mudslides throughout the state, resulting in widespread damage. The counties affected were Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne.
Parts of West Virginia had still been recovering from severe winter weather from just a few weeks prior when the heavy rains hit.
In a letter, the Delegation said, “As members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, we write to support Governor Jim Justice’s request for a federal disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia after heavy rain storms washed through our state causing widespread damage, including flooding, landslides and mudslides in 7 counties throughout central and southwestern areas of West Virginia, beginning February 27th, 2021 through March 4th, 2021… We remain proud of our local citizens, first responders and our brave National Guard members, who have worked diligently to assist in recovery efforts, and we urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.”
Read the full letter below.
May 5, 2021 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr. President of the United States The While House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20502 Dear Mr. President:
As members of West Virginia’s Congressional Delegation, we write to support Governor Jim Justice’s request for a federal disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia after heavy rain storms washed through our state causing widespread damage, including flooding, landslides and mudslides in 7 counties throughout central and southwestern areas of West Virginia, beginning February 27th, 2021 through March 4th, 2021.
Heavy rainfall impacted the entire state of West Virginia, but was most dramatically felt in the central and southwestern counties of our state. Persistent rains fell February 27th through March 4 th, resulting in major flooding events in Boone, Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne Counties. Areas surrounding rivers, creeks and small streams were unable to absorb the excess precipitation causing flooding and catastrophic damage to vital infrastructure. Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life were reported. Local officials and first responders, including the West Virginia National Guard, worked diligently to ensure that debris clean-up efforts were initiated immediately to clear blocked roadways and damaged infrastructure and to prevent additional damages. Our state resources have reached capacity with response efforts to this natural disaster and also in response efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal resources are key to our continued response and recovery efforts.
To access federal disaster aid, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice has made a request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia, submitted April 30th, 2021, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5208 (Stafford Act). We urge you to approve this request for Public Assistance for Boone, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne Counties and the request for Individual Assistance for Cabell, Kanawha, Mingo and Wayne Counties in addition to Hazard Mitigation assistance across the state.
We remain proud of our local citizens, first responders and our brave National Guard members, who have worked diligently to assist in recovery efforts, and we urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.