BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va. – As Buchanan and Tazewell Counties strive to recover from the floods that occurred this past summer, they will soon get further relief.
Last Monday, Vice President Biden gave his approval to a major disaster designation, which paves the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to begin delivering aid to the general population. While FEMA completes its evaluation of each county’s needs for individual help, this assistance will be distributed to the county governments.
The public aid provided by FEMA will cover any expenses associated with damage to infrastructure or government institutions. The person in charge of FEMA’s external relations said that the agency hasn’t decided yet what kind of direct help it will give to citizens who were affected by the disaster.
“Additional designations may be made at a later date, if requested by the Commonwealth, and then warranted by the results of further damage assessment,” Tamiko Exford said. “Right now, they’re in the process of doing further assessment.”
Residents who did not have flood insurance will have an easier time getting back on their feet if FEMA provides specific support. On the other hand, the typical payoff is $4,000.
Flood insurance is a specialty that requires years of knowledge, which is why the president and owner of Marks-Tiller Insurance Agency has that expertise. She went on to explain that even if individual aid was provided, it would not be enough to compensate for all of the damage caused by the accident.
“It doesn’t go very far, it really doesn’t,” Carla Marks said. “There are other sources of donations and support, but right now the average amount coming in from FEMA, from the government, is that relatively small amount.”
Marks indicated that it is very necessary to get flood insurance at this point, given that a major catastrophe has been proclaimed.
“If you’ve already been assisted by a disaster relief effort, you are then required to carry flood insurance ongoing from that point, no matter what risk zone you’re in, if you wish to get coverage in the future under disaster relief,” Marks said.
Flood insurance is required for people who live in places that are thought to have a high risk of flooding.
“Buchanan County, having the location of the river down there, their flood zone is a little bit different and there’s a little bit of a higher risk,” Marks said. “With a higher risk, the corresponding flood insurance rates are a little higher.”
Despite this, a significant number of people did not have flood insurance as the floods began to rise.
The Commonwealth will receive the federal cash that was recently granted to assist with recovery operations in Buchanan and Tazewell Counties. These counties are located in Virginia.
Even though FEMA is almost done with its preliminary reviews for individual federal disaster funding, people in the area can still apply for federal help.
