RELIEF RESPONSE – Gov. Patrick Morrisey, right, and West Virginia Air National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Cadle provided reporters an update Friday on flood response in Southern West Virginia. -- Steven Allen Adams

CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Friday that he was pleased that four Southern West Virginia counties were receiving individual aid from the federal government while people in those counties recover from winter flooding.

Morrisey held a press conference Friday morning in the Governor’s Reception Room of the State Capitol Building. He was joined by Brig. Gen. Michael Cadle with the West Virginia Air National Guard.

On Wednesday, the Governor’s Office announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency accepted the state’s request for individual assistance for McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming counties.

Morrisey said Friday that President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made FEMA’s hazard mitigation program at the state’s disposal. Morrisey also thanked U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice and U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Riley Moore.

“I want to start up by saying I am very grateful to President Trump, to Secretary Noem, and the rest of the Trump administration, who we’ve worked very closely with this whole time for them stepping up and helping,” Morrisey said. “I want to thank our federal delegation for all the work that they’re doing. They sent an important support letter, so I appreciate the work of our senators and our House members.”

Morrisey declared a state of emergency in the middle of February for a 13-county region after between 3 and 5 inches of rain created substantial flooding in those counties. At least three people – two grandparents and one of their grandchildren – were reported dead due to flash flooding.

The governor has made several trips to the affected counties over the last two weeks, including Thursday, meeting with volunteers, first responders, and members of the National Guard. Morrisey said FEMA officials are now on the ground in Southern West Virginia doing damage assessments to determine if more counties need federal assistance.

“This is just the beginning of a multi-step process,” Morrisey said. “You have response and then recovery. We’re in the recovery mode now. We’re going to continue to support those who are in need. The truth is that these processes take some time.”

FEMA’s individual assistance program includes several initiatives, including mass care/emergency services, and the individuals and households program, which provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households.

The National Guard is working with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Health, and others throughout state government. Currently the Guard has 159 personnel activated. Loader/dump teams from the Guard have removed over 900 tons of debris from the roadways and the waterways. The Department of Health is operating a mobile medical unit.

Morrisey said he expects that FEMA is going to be having disaster recovery centers in the affected areas for in-person support, the application process, and to provide information to affected residents. Morrisey urged those with flood damage to take photos and document their damage to make it easier for FEMA to assess.

Residents in McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming, and Mercer counties can apply for disaster aid by calling 1-800-621-3362 using the TTY number at 1-800-462-7585, online at disasterassistance.gov, or by downloading the FEMA app on their smartphones.

“I want to remind every West Virginian that we have your back,” Morrisey said.

(Adams can be contacted at )