Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:18:28 GMT
Three people were inside this burning home but managed to get out safely.
Firefighters are battling a massive fire in East Bank in Kanawha County. A house on Walnut Street went up in flames around 5:15 a.m. Firefighters said two people were home at the time but managed to
Three escape massive fire in a home on Walnut Street in Kanawha County
President Barack Obama issued a major disaster declaration on Monday afternoon for West Virginia. That frees up federal disaster assistance to help communities recover from the severe storms on June 29 through July 1. It will cover emergency work, repair and replacement of public facilities in 45 counties.
"These federal funds will provide the much needed financial assistance to our state agencies, counties, cities, towns and public service districts for emergency work and repair of storm damaged facilities," said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, D-W.Va., in a news release. "My thanks to Senators Rockefeller and Manchin and Congressman Rahall for their support of my request and their ongoing commitment to the people of West Virginia."
Hazard Mitigation grants are also available. All counties are eligible to apply for this financial assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards, according to the news release from the governor's office.
"We are grateful to FEMA for quickly aiding our staff, county and local responders from across the state. We worked together to meet the needs of our constituents during this unprecedented emergency," said Jimmy Gianato, Director of West Virginia's Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the news release.
State and federal emergency management officials continue assessing storm damage throughout the state. The governor has said he will also request individual assistance from the federal government after all of the assessments have been completed.
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