Ohio County, WV — Federal and state officials are urging residents affected by the June 14 flash floods in Triadelphia to apply for disaster assistance before the rapidly approaching September 22 deadline.
Following a federal disaster declaration on July 22, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) made $11.7 million in individual assistance available to residents of Ohio and Marion counties. With the deadline just a month away, FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are working to ensure all eligible individuals receive aid.
To streamline the process, FEMA disaster survivor teams have established pop-up recovery centers in addition to traditional disaster centers. “People can come to a pop-up disaster recovery center and get registered, find out the status of their application, or if they just have questions,” said Kim Fuller, a FEMA media relations specialist.
Hundreds of residents have already applied for assistance. Officials emphasize that those affected should not wait for insurance settlements before seeking federal help. Monica Myles, a public affairs specialist with the SBA, advised residents to apply to both agencies promptly to expedite their recovery, noting that federal aid is structured to supplement, not duplicate, insurance payouts or other benefits.
While significant progress has been made, FEMA officials stress that the recovery is ongoing and encourage anyone impacted by the floods to submit their application and all required documents by September 22.
