CHARLESTON, W.V. – Governor Jim Justice has asked President Trump to declare
a major disaster for the State of West Virginia in the wake of the severe late
July storms that brought flooding, landslides, mudslides and wind damage to a
dozen counties.
Governor Justice explained to the White House in his Aug. 10
request letter that preliminary damage assessments have determined that 161
home were destroyed or suffered major damage in just four of those counties,
while another 557 residences received minor damage or were otherwise affected.
“Although it has not garnered the national attention of last
year’s catastrophic disaster,” Governor Justice wrote, referring to the
deadly and devastating June 2016 floods, “the survivors of this event
absolutely need the Stafford Act and other federal agency assistance that can
only be provided by your declaring this event a Major Disaster.”