July 21, 1995 - "People Helping People" - Issue #1060-1

West Virginia Disaster Victims Get Swift Assistance

Traffic was at a standstill early the morning of June 28th on Stafford Drive in Princeton, Mercer county, West Virginia. (Photo by Keith Connor, Bluefield Daily Telegraph)

When West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton requested help for people who suffered damage from June’s severe storms and flooding, President Clinton quickly responded by declaring Mercer, Mineral, and Nicholas counties disaster areas.

Immediately, the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services teamed up with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate recovery efforts in the state.

“We’re pleased that the federal government is helping West Virginians cope with this disaster by making available such things as emergency housing, low interest loans, and grants,” Caperton said.

FEMA Director James Lee Witt, underscoring the function of federal emergency aid, said “Federal assistance is not meant to make people whole after a disaster but it is a helping hand to get them back on the road to recovery.”

Federal Coordinating Officer Al Hahn urged anyone who suffered losses from severe storms or flooding from June 23 through June 28 to start the application process by calling toll free 1-800-462-9029, TDD: 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week.

“Disaster victims shouldn’t hesitate to call us for help,” Hahn said. “We want the opportunity to help them recover as quickly as possible.”

West Virginia State Coordinating Officer Carl Bradford praised the ease of the telephone application process, “This is a fast, efficient method of registering for assistance.”

Those who already have registered by telephone for assistance can get answers to other questions by calling the FEMA Helpline, 1-800-525-0321, TDD: 1-800-660-8005. The helpline is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week.

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Also In This Edition

• More Than Just Floods
• Working Together For A Safer Tomorrow
  • FEMA Director James L. Witt
  • Governor Gaston Caperton
• Disaster Questions & Answers
• Many Programs Offer Help for Disaster Victim
• Beware of Dishonest Repairmen
• Three Different Inspectors Visiting to Assess Damage
• Important Phone Numbers

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Apply By Phone

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mon. - Sat.

1-800-462-9029
(TDD: 1-800-462-7585)
Toll-Free

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Current Number is Vital Link

If you have moved or cannot be reached at your usual phone number, call the Helpline, 1-800-525-0321 (TDD: 1-800-660-8005) and provide a telephone number where you may be reached or the number of someone who can contact you.

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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or economic status. Anyone who believes he or she has been discriminated against should contact the Federal Coordinating Officer or the State Coordinating Officer immediately.

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Recovery Times is published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services with help from other federal agencies and departments. This publication is produced in cooperation with federal, state and local government agencies and volunteer organizations to provide timely and accurate information about disaster recovery programs for victims of the 1995 severe storms and flooding. Comments and inquiries about Recovery Times may be directed to the Helpline at 1-800-525-0321.
Al Hahn, Federal Coordinating Officer
Carl Bradford, State Coordinating Officer

FEMA Office of Emergency Information and Public Affairs
Morrie Goodman, Director
Phil Cogan, Deputy Director

Recovery Times
Bill Riley, Managing Editor

Recovery Times Online is produced by the FEMA Digital Media Unit.