Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on Tuesday said he will appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s decision not to provide disaster assistance to the state following tornadoes that wreaked havoc on the state last month.
McDonnell made three requests for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program: for Pulaski, Halifax and Washington counties and another request that would add Glouster and Middlesex counties. The program would make funding available to homeowners through low-interest loans, grants, unemployment assistance, disaster housing assistance and crisis counseling.
FEMA, though, had said the storm damage was not severe enough that the state, localities and volunteers could not handle the response.
“Local and state governments and volunteers are doing all they can to help, but federal assistance would make a big difference in ensuring that hundreds of Virginians recover from this devastation,” McDonnell said. “I urge FEMA to reconsider this decision and to expedite my request.”
Last week, the governor encouraged private companies, non-profits, faith-based organizations and citizens to provide assistance to communities, and established a tornado relief fund for people to send donations to victims. At least 30 tornadoes hit Virginia, killing 10 people and destroying more than 200 homes.
