June 3, 2009

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today that six additional counties are eligible for Public Assistance (PA) to help them recover from the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that began on May 3.

The added counties are: Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, Roane, Upshur and Wirt.

Public Assistance provides grants to state and local governments and certain non-profit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities. FEMA provides PA grants on a cost-sharing basis. FEMA picks up 75 percent of the eligible costs and 25 percent comes from state and local governments.

There are now 11 West Virginia counties eligible for PA: Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, McDowell, Mingo, Mercer, Raleigh, Roane, Upshur, Wirt, Wyoming.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

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