CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Joe Manchin and state emergency management officials HAVE received word that President Obama has approved the governor’s request for a federal disaster declaration for 15 counties in West Virginia, following a severe winter storm, causing thousands of power outages, immense snow removal costs and coordinated public safety measures that occurred the weekend of Dec. 18, 2009.

The following counties are available for public assistance, which is assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities: Boone, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Ritchie, Roane, and Wyoming counties.

In addition, the counties eligible for reimbursement for actions designed to protect the public, including snow removal assistance are: Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Raleigh and Wyoming Counties. These counties experienced record or near-record snowfall during this storm.

All counties in the state are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

Manchin said he applauds President Obama and Homeland Security Sec. Janet Napolitano for the quick action on the disaster request, and for the strong support from the state’s congressional delegation for expediting the declaration.

“This is a coordinated effort on all fronts – in our communities across the state, in Charleston and in Washington. With the federal declaration, we have more tools and funding to get our communities back in order.”

As more information is gathered in the coming days, the governor could request additional counties across the state be added to this federal disaster declaration.

This federal disaster declaration is only for the December 2009 storm. The Office of Emergency Services is still gathering information for the most recent winter storms to determine whether affected regions will be eligible for a federal disaster declaration.