Gilmer Free Press

Storm Damaged Counties Getting Help from FEMA

West Virginia is heading into its third day of storm recovery with some reinforcements.

State Homeland Security Director Jimmy Gianato says the state will be flooded with additional power company crews Monday while generators and water from FEMA are on their way to many counties.

“As the next couple of days progresses equipment will get into place. The power company will continue to restore the power and we’ll get through this in the next couple of days,“ Gianato said Sunday following a tour of northern counties.

Gianato says the generators will be used at municipal water pumping stations that have been without power. State Adjutant General James Hoyer says the equipment and supplies were being shipped out of Charleston Sunday.

“We’re pushing this FEMA equipment out of here to the locations, to the counties that need it, and then assisting the counties to get it out beyond there because they are all struggling with that need and requirement,“ Hoyer said.

Both Appalachian and FirstEnergy power companies are predicting it will be next weekend before power is restored throughout the state.