Flood-hit US state struggles to recover
Print Edition
WITH the missing accounted for in all but one county, West Virginia has begun turning its attention to recovery after disastrous floods killed at least 24 people and rendered many more homeless. The deluge tore through roads and bridges and knocked out utilities that still haven’t been restored in some communities.
Federal money will be part of the rebuilding equation.
Yesterday was the first day people could apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid in Greenbrier, Kanawha and Nicholas counties.
Obama’s signature on Saturday on the federal disaster declaration lets residents in three counties get aid for temporary housing and home repairs, receive low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and qualify for other assistance for individuals and business owners. Federal money to help the state and local governments is also available on a cost-sharing basis.
People ‘still missing’
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration still believes there are people missing in Greenbrier County, and the death toll there rose by one on Saturday, said Tomblin chief of staff Chris Stadelman.
The focus is moving away from the days-long, difficult search and rescue process, where residents were helped off roofs, out of attics, and shimmied down trees into rescue boats. Through that arduous process, bodies were sometimes found and the death toll continued to rise.
On Saturday, FEMA officials were in the state to begin assessing the damage to infrastructure, homes and other property.
After a pounding by storms and floods, basic necessities still aren’t up and running in some areas.
More than 24,000 homes and businesses remained without power on Saturday evening. Water is still not running in the Clendenin area, and residents are filling up jugs of water at stations provided by West Virginia American Water.
Fifteen of the 16 deaths in Greenbrier County struck the tiny town of Rainelle. Six other deaths were reported in Kanawha, in addition to one each in Jackson and Ohio counties.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
