Capito leads bipartisan call for West Virginia disaster recovery assistance

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) led a bipartisan call on Thursday for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support flood recovery efforts in West Virginia.

Capito, U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins (R-W.Va.) and other members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation called on HUD Secretary Julian Castro to support flood recovery efforts through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery program.

Catastrophic flooding in West Virginia claimed 23 lives in June, dumping up to 10 inches of rain over a 24-hour period and leaving 12 counties federal disaster areas.

President Barack Obama signed a continuing resolution into law on Sept. 29 that included $500 million in funding for the CDBG Disaster Recovery program to support flood recovery efforts.

“Bipartisan congressional leaders and appropriators expressed clear legislative intent that West Virginia receive a fair portion of disaster recovery funds included in that bill to aid our state in rebuilding from the catastrophic floods,” the letter states. “We strongly support West Virginia’s request for CDBG Disaster Recovery funds appropriated last month, and we believe that this is an important down payment for our recovery.”

West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has identified $310 million in unmet needs resulting from the flooding that could be eligible for assistance through the CDBG Disaster Recovery program.

“While the recent $500 million allocation of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding will help jumpstart the recovery for West Virginia families and small businesses impacted by the June flood, we look forward to working with (Castro) and the president to ensure that we have the resources we need to rebuild safe, strong, sustainable communities,” the letter states.