CHARLESTON — Close to $8 million in disaster aid has been approved in Federal Emergency Man-agement Agency (FEMA) grants for West Virginia residents suffering damage from the severe storms, flooding, mudslides and landslides that began on May 3, 2009.

Recovery services summary at close of business, June 4, 2009:

• Of the $8 million, more than $7.5 million approved for temporary housing and home repairs, with close to the same amount distributed;

• 3,554 individuals registered for disaster assistance with FEMA;

• 2,890 home inspections completed. (94 percent of 3059 inspections issued);

• Nearly $370,000 in Other Needs Assistance approved for serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance;

• $193,000 in low-interest disaster loans approved by The U.S. Small Business Administration;

• 1,526 individuals visited Disaster Recovery Centers set up in Gilbert, Hanover, Iaeger, Matewan and Pigeon Creek.

The following is a list of the counties now declared for individual assistance under FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, along with the number of applications received per county. 

Counties Registrations McDowell 303

Mingo 2,016

Raleigh 134

Wyoming 997

Undeclared 104

Disaster survivors may apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling this toll-free number, 800-621-FEMA (3362), 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Those with speech or hearing impairments may call TTY 800-462-7585.