Gov. Ralph Northam announced today that Virginia’s request for a federal disaster declaration to address the damage sustained from Tropical Storm Michael and provide additional resources for recovery efforts has been approved by President Trump. Governor Northam sent a letter to President Trump on Dec. 5 requesting the declaration after the Commonwealth was impacted with damaging winds, flooding, tornadoes, and landslides from Michael between Oct. 9 and Oct. 16. The President approved the request on Tuesday.
The Governor requested and the President approved assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program for the counties of Amelia, Appomattox, Brunswick, Campbell, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Halifax, King and Queen, Lunenburg, Montgomery, New Kent, Northumberland, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, Prince Edward, Rappahannock, Richmond, and Roanoke, as well as Danville and Galax cities. The Public Assistance Program provides federal assistance to government organizations and certain private nonprofit (PNP) organizations.
“Tropical Storm Michael severely impacted dozens of localities, causing damage from rains, flooding, and high winds and spawning seven tornadoes that killed seven Virginians, including one first responder,” said Gov. Northam. “It is clear the serious nature of these effects require additional federal assistance and I thank the President for approving my request ....”
In addition, the Governor requested and the President approved Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance to provide assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property for natural hazards. All areas of the Commonwealth are eligible for assistance under the program.
Virginia did not qualify for Individual Assistance for Tropical Storm Michael. For federal individual disaster assistance to become available to homeowners and renters, a disaster event must cause widespread, severe damage to a significant number of personal residences, and most damage must have been uninsured.
Last month, Gov. Northam announced that Virginia’s request for financial assistance to citizens impacted by Tropical Storm Michael in the cities of Danville and Salem had been approved, making low-interest federal loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) available to help residents and business owners rebuild from storm damage.
For more information about the Public Assistance Program visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website.
Information about the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is available here.