WSAZ - News Charleston - Headlines

FEMA Assistance Available for Storm Victims

By: Alex Snyder Email
Updated: Mon 10:05 AM, Oct 01, 2012

KANAWHA COUNTY, W. Va. (WSAZ) -- It’s been three months since a powerful Derecho ripped through Kanawha County and the clean-up continues.

Many people are still looking for the finances to get their property fixed or replaced.

"If there's any questions -- don't try to qualify themselves or disqualify themselves -- let FEMA make that decision for them," said Tom Bias, community relations field officer for FEMA.

And maybe you’ve worked with you’re insurance company and have done everything you can, but FEMA could still be able to give you additional relief.

"So what they do if the limb falls on the house and the insurance doesn't cover it or it falls on the car and it's not covered or something like that -- they can just call the 800 number, get registered, an inspector will come out usually within 7-10 days, make an inspection, verify their loses and send it into our processing center -- and they usually hear within two weeks whether they're going to be eligible for any assistance or not," said Bias.

But you can’t take your neighbor’s or friend’s word for it because it’s all done on a case by case basis – assessing what you’ve lost and your situation.

"It's on an individual basis, in other words I wouldn't be able to tell you if you were going to be reimbursed for it. Let the inspector and after all the processes take place and then they could very well be reimbursed," said Bias.

It’s something county officials wanted to see to make sure you’re covered following Mother Nature’s wrath.

To contact FEMA – call 1-800-621-FEMA or go to the South Charleston Recreation Center where they have a disaster recovery center set up. You have until November 17th to register with FEMA.


Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
powered by Disqus
Click here to send us your pictures and video pix@wsaz.com

Call To Check Road Conditions

  • WEST VIRGINIA: (877) 982-7623
  • KENTUCKY: (866) 737-3767
  • OHIO:Click here

Click here for online road conditions

WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links

Download the WSAZ First Warning Weather App to your iOS or Android devices. It's FREE, sponsored by St Mary's Medical Center.
SOMC-Very good things are happening here
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more
Click here for closing and delays
Click here for school closings and delays. Sponsored by Buckeye Hills Career Center.
West Virginia Lottery nightly @ 6:59pm on WSAZ click here for numbers and drawings
Check out the WV Lottery HD Weather Cameras here. Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
Ohio Lottery
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3.
Making Moms LIfe Easier - with Diane Dimoff
Follow @MomsEveryday daily video tips from the experts about health, money, family fun, and more!
WSAZ Children's Charitable Foundation
Remember WSAZ Children's Charities as we end the year. Click here to donate. Thank you.
A WSAZ Salute to...
Join us as we salute our communities, fairs and festivals. Scheduled are Pikeville, KY, Mason Co, WV. Jackson Co, WV, Logan, WV, Putnam Co, WV, South Charleston, WV, Barboursville, WV, Milton, WV, Paintsville, KY, Gallipolis, OH
WSAZ NewsChannel 3 645 Fifth Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 304-697-4780 WSAZ Charleston 111 Columbia Avenue Charleston, WV 25302 304-344-3521
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2013 - Designed by Gray Digital Media - Powered by Clickability
User Agent: CCBot/2.0 - 172008481