Morrisey Still working toward Ohio, Marion County federal disaster declaration

Governor Patrick Morrisey is pursuing a federal disaster declaration for Ohio and Marion counties in West Virginia more than three weeks after severe flash flooding struck the region. This contrasts with President Trump's rapid disaster declaration for Texas, where flooding between July 2 and July 4 led to 108 deaths, including many children at a summer camp. Morrisey spoke at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport, indicating his intent to expedite the federal approval process by contacting White House officials and FEMA. He acknowledged that part of the delay stemmed from FEMA's request for additional information regarding financial thresholds. On June 14, flash flooding in Ohio County resulted in nine fatalities, with further storms causing damage in Marion County.

Morrisey's efforts highlight the importance of federal assistance in disaster recovery. Historically, most federal disaster declarations occur over a month after disasters, with exceptions for recent events in Texas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The urgency of Morrisey's actions is underscored by the need for timely federal support to aid affected communities.