West Virginia delegation calls for redo after FEMA denies state aid request

Members of West Virginia's congressional delegation called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday to reconsider its Thursday decision to deny aid to West Virginia residents affected by severe stores in June.

West Virginia sought federal disaster aid in July, after June storms killed three, damaged homes and other property, and left nearly two-thirds of the state's residents without power. FEMA rejected that request Thursday, which led members of the House and Senate from that state to call for a re-assessment.

"Governor [Earl] Tomblin has indicated that the State of West Virginia will appeal FEMA's decision to deny individual assistance," Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) wrote in a Friday letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. "When this appeal is filed, I urge you to carefully re-examine the extent of the damage sustained by many West Virginia residents and to allow those individuals to seek federal assistance."

Capito also asked for a meeting between Fugate, Governor Tomblin, and members of West Virginia's congressional delegation "to provide an explanation of your decision to deny much needed assistance to West Virginia residents."

Other members of West Virginia's delegation wrote or called for FEMA to reassess its decision.

"I absolutely agree with Gov. Tomblin," Sen. John Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said. "I strongly encourage FEMA's administrator to reconsider its decision and I support the Governor's appeal.

"Three-quarters of West Virginians were affected by the storm, and so many people are still trying to recover their losses and damages," he said. "Providing individual assistance for these West Virginians is just the right thing to do."

---