WV political leaders call for disaster declaration for storms from Hurricane Helene

Multiple political figures in the state including U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are asking the Biden Administration and FEMA to consider an appeal for a major disaster declaration from the storms that came from Hurricane Helene.

Manchin and Capito, along with U.S. Representatives Carol Miller and Alex Mooney, sent a letter to Washington D.C. in regard to Governor Jim Justice’s previous requests for a disaster declaration. The request came in an effort to further aid those affected by the severe weather that hit the Mountain State in September from Hurricane Helene, which included flooding, high winds, power outages, and other extensive damage statewide.

The full reader reads:

“Dear President Biden and Regional Administrator Tierney,

As members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, we write in support of Governor Jim Justice’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia as a result of Hurricane Helene.

Severe storms including heavy rains, straight-line winds, and flooding, washed through our State causing widespread damage in counties throughout southern West Virginia from September 25, 2024, to September 28, 2024.

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 on October 25, 2024, 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 respectfully ask that you carefully review the submission that specifically requests Individual Assistance for Mercer and Raleigh Counties, and additionally requests assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide.

We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, 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. Therefore, we kindly request that you thoroughly consider the State of West Virginia’s appeal for a major disaster declaration to address our communities’ recovery needs.

Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.”

West Virginia has already had two other major disaster declarations, those being the April 2-6 storms and tornadoes as well as the April 11-12 storms that brought floods, mudslides, and landslides to eight counties.