WELCH, W.Va. – The top leader for the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Welch on Friday along side West Virginia Senator Jim Justice.
The point of the visit is to speak with county leaders about what FEMA is doing to help in the county and what resources are available to those affected.
“I think we’ll build back better. I think our lives will be better. It’s tough but the strength that we draw from this whole situation will make us better,” said Justice.
McDowell County along with nine other West Virginia counties were recently approved for public assistance through FEMA. That declaration approved by President Donald Trump is expected to provide additional aid to a county still struggling.
“The county government, the state government, they all need to realize that we’re still here. We’ve not went anywhere, we’re still here don’t forget about us,” said Lex resident, Jerry Blankenship.
The acting administrator for FEMA, Cameron Hamilton says the response to help has not been as quick and efficient as they would like due to bureaucracy within the federal government.
However, we’re told that FEMA officials are going to continue to do what they can as they try and reform the agency.
“The president cares very deeply about eliminating bureaucracy so that the American people can have simple, understandable solutions. We’re looking at a variety of different ways within DHS, specifically FEMA to achieve that,” said Hamilton.
“We’re simplifying the application process for survivors. We’re simplifying the public and individual assistance program so that they’re more easily understood.”
Hamilton says FEMA leaders want to continue to urge county residents and leaders to report damage to the agency to see what can be done to help.
Hamilton says grants are available to help areas like McDowell County with flood mitigation. We’re told conversations have already been held between county leaders and those from FEMA about possibilities.
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