Photo by Joselyn King Major General James Seward of the West Virginia National Guard, left, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo, and County Commission President Zach Abraham update the public on flood cleanup efforts in Ohio County on Thursday, June 19.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has formally requested a major disaster declaration and an emergency declaration from the federal government for Ohio County and also Marion County following flooding on June 14-15.

“After traveling to both Ohio and Marion counties and assessing the damage firsthand, I have asked President Donald Trump for a Major Disaster Declaration and an Emergency Declaration,” Morrisey said. “These declarations will help unlock federal resources to support our fellow West Virginians hardest hit by the major flooding events.”

If a Major Disaster Declaration is awarded, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Individual Assistance program would provide financial aid to homeowners and renters affected by the recent flooding. If the Emergency Declaration is awarded for Public Assistance, it would unlock supplemental financial assistance for state agencies and local governments. Morrisey said he has reserved the right to request additional types of assistance as damages are assessed.

Ohio County has experienced eight fatalities with one individual still missing. The flooding impacted Valley Grove, Triadelphia, Elm Grove and the Woodsdale neighborhoods.

In his official letter to the president, Morrisey noted, “To date, over 1,000 damage surveys have been submitted by residents in the affected areas. Currently, over 165 homes have been internally validated as having at least a ‘major’ level of damage, while 45 others have been validated as being ‘destroyed.’ I anticipate these numbers will double, if not triple, in the coming days and weeks. In addition, at least 25 swift water rescues have been performed by first responders in the affected counties to assist residents trapped in their homes and motorists trapped in their vehicles.

“Unfortunately, there have been eight confirmed deaths so far, including a 3-year-old child. One person is still missing. This has been our deadliest flooding event since 2016, and within the top 10 deadliest floods over the past century. It is also worth noting that Ohio County was hit by two back-to-back disasters just a year ago and is still recovering from those events. Meanwhile, the state of West Virginia continues to manage 14 active Federal Disaster Declarations.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito also supports seeking the declaration and said she will lend her support to getting President Trump to address the matter.

“The West Virginia delegation stands in strong support of the governor’s Major Disaster Declaration request to (the president). The severe storms in our state on June 14th resulted in widespread damage across Marion and Ohio counties. This is an essential step to unlock vital federal resources to support those West Virginians impacted on June 14th in their time of need.”