Morrisey requests major disaster declaration for three WV counties

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has requested federal disaster assistance for three counties affected by heavy rains and flooding last month. 

The state has requested individual assistance for Kanawha, Fayette and Harrison counties and statewide hazard mitigation for storms and flooding that occurred Aug. 14 through 18. 

“Our communities have been hit hard by repeated storms and flooding, and too many West Virginia families are still trying to put their homes and lives back together,” Morrisey said in a news release Sunday. “Our state, local communities, first responders, and volunteers have stepped up from day one. Now we are asking President (Donald) Trump to approve this declaration so we can bring additional resources to the families and communities working to recover.”

More than 600 homes were damaged in the flood, Morrisey’s office said Monday. One woman was killed in the Pax area of Fayette County when her vehicle was swept away.

According to the National Weather Service, more than four inches of rain fell at Yeager Airport, leading to high water throughout Kanawha County. Three to six inches fell over 48 hours in Fayette County, according to the Weather Service. 

Speaking to lawmakers Sunday, Matt Blackwood, director of the emergency management division for the state, said the August weather events broke “many rain records across the state.”

“Charleston and other areas here in Kanawha County, isolated areas in Fayette County and Harrison County saw extensive damage to homes and roads,” Blackwood said. 

According to preliminary damage assessments, 624 residences were affected by the storms in Fayette, Harrison and Kanawha counties, the governor’s office said. Of those, 22 homes were destroyed, 60 had major damage, 261 had minor damage and 281 were otherwise affected.

The state estimates that $4.8 million in housing assistance and other needs assistance is needed. Only about 9.5% of affected households had flood insurance, the governor’s office said. 

“When families lose their homes or face repairs they cannot possibly afford on their own, government should work together to help them recover,” Morrisey said in the news release. “This is exactly why federal disaster assistance exists. We will continue fighting to make sure these communities have the resources they need to rebuild.”