Gov. Patrick Morrisey says he’s still working to secure more financial help for northern West Virginia days after President Donald Trump announced the state would receive its long-awaited federal aid for flooding.
Morrisey also said he’ll offer resources to local food pantries that have reported low supplies following flooding in June that killed 9 people in Ohio County and caused catastrophic damage in the area and Marion County.
“To the extent that there is a need for some additional food, we’re going to unlock some of those opportunities to make sure some of the local food pantries get some additional resources,” Morrisey said Thursday at a press conference in Wheelling. “We do not want anyone to be without food.”
Trump said earlier this week that he granted West Virginia’s request for $11.7 million in disaster aid after Morrisey formally requested a disaster declaration June 20. The wait for relief spurred criticism from Democrats and residents, who questioned the lull in assistance.
Morrisey said the federal aid announcement was just the “first phase of an ongoing process.”
“Now, we’ve followed up with additional requests and amendments from the original application … to try to acquire more public assistance, as well,” he said. “I’m working hard to get more resources to recover.”
He is optimistic the area will receive additional assistance due to the level of damage.
The governor, who has already dealt with several major flood events since taking office in January, urged impacted residents to file a claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“We’re not going to leave Ohio County or Marion County stranded,” he said.
Morrisey said that Trump’s emergency declaration and state resources will give impacted residents access to aid that could help with temporary housing and home repairs, bridge repairs, personal property losses, transportation and child care. There could be help available for medical and dental expenses, as well.
Work continues in Ohio and Marion Counties to clear debris left by the flooding, Morrisey said. The National Guard removed more than 12,000 tons of debris in Ohio County and 480 tons in Marion County.
“We know that [the Department of Transportation] has been very, very aggressive and doing a lot of positive things, clearing debris to assist with the first responders and the traveling public, restoring roadways and inspecting bridges,” Morrisey added.
