U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, announced today a federal disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia, making public assistance available for Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

"Southern West Virginians were knocked down again by Mother Nature," Rahall said. "But with this declaration, federal funding is now available to our friends and neighbors who continue to clean up after another dousing of torrential rains."

This public assistance will be coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and could include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools in the affected counties.

"Having seen the damage first-hand, I know that the recovery process has just begun, but I also know that southern West Virginians are a proud lot with the resolve to get back on their feet," Rahall said. "With a little help from the federal government, they can recover a little faster."

In addition to the public assistance being offered to Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties, all counties in the State of West Virginia are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. HMGP funds may be used to fund projects that will reduce or eliminate the losses from future disasters.