
Public roads, buildings, and property took a huge hit from recent damaging winds and rain.
Now, the state is seeing what federal assistance is available to help
FEMA started doing preliminary damage assessments to public infrastructure on Tuesday.
The issue of individual assistance, or private property, is still unknown.
David Armstrong, with the Kanawha County Planning Office, said the county is doing all it can to collect data from people who's property was damaged from recent storms.
He said 200 people have called since the beginning of July.
Those who haven't called, need to pick up the phone, he said.
"It's going to let the county know where our hardest hit areas were and second, it's going to allow us to make sure that we do get this information into FEMA's hands," he said.
While individual assistance in still up in the air, FEMA has started its preliminary damage assessments to public roads and infrastructure.
Teams spent the day scouring the state with the Division of Highways to document the aftermath.
It's too early to tell what federal funding, if any, will be available to the state and its residents.
"Normally, in West Virginia, it's flash flooding, and landslides, and that sort of thing. Rather quickly, there's often a presidential declaration for help for individuals and households. That hasn't occurred yet," said Frank Blake, FEMA Media Relations Specialist.
Armstrong said that's why these assessments are so important. The documentation will work in the county's favor when it's handed off to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.
"We believe there is quite a bit of damage and we believe that FEMA will step up and help us out. That's what we're hoping for," Armstrong said.
To report storm damages at your home, call the Kanawha County Planning Office at 304-357-0570.
FEMA will continue its reviews with the DOH on Wednesday.
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