Homeowners whose residences were damaged beyond repair and left uninhabitable by June’s severe storms, floods, mudslides and landslides that affected large swaths of central and southern West Virginia have to apply for demolition and debris removal programs on their private property.

And eligible applicant’s debris removal from private property can be funded, providing that county officials determine that disaster-generated debris on private property in the designated area constitutes:

• Immediate threats to life, public health, and safety
• Immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property
• Immediate threat to the economic recovery of the affected community and poses a detriment to the community-at-large

Homeowners in the county of Clay can contact their county emergency management office for assistance at 304-587-2849.

It is not necessary for applicants to have previously applied for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the U.S. Small Business Administration. Inspections for the Private Property Debris Removal and Demolition programs are conducted by the individual counties with demolitions contracted out by the state using funds from the state and FEMA.

It is advised that property owners do not demolish their own structures if they wish to participate in any Hazard Mitigation projects as that would make them ineligible for mitigation funding.