The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a total of $19,585,828.05 in disaster recovery funding for public projects in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. This funding aims to accelerate recovery efforts following recent natural disasters. The announcement, made on Thursday, highlights the federal government’s commitment to supporting communities in their recovery from the impacts of severe weather events.
FEMA’s funding is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Homeland Security, which has authorized over $2.2 billion in Public Assistance projects nationwide in the past week. These allocations will enhance efforts for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and infrastructure repairs in the affected regions. The agency emphasized that these awards are critical for communities to restore or replace public infrastructure damaged during recent disasters. As eligibility is confirmed and work plans are finalized, more projects may receive funding.
Key Projects Funded by FEMA
Among the notable grants approved by FEMA was $4.2 million awarded to the Town of Wytheville in Wythe County, Virginia. This funding will facilitate repairs to the Wytheville Sewage Treatment Plant, which suffered damage due to Hurricane Helene. Additionally, the Town of Oceana in Wyoming County, West Virginia, will receive $2.6 million to repair the Gilliland Park pool area, which was affected by severe storms in February 2025.
In Virginia, FEMA also allocated $2.5 million to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for state management costs associated with a severe winter storm that impacted the region in January 2022. Furthermore, $1.9 million was granted to the Virginia Department of Transportation to restore roads and highways in Tazewell and Buchanan counties following flooding and mudslides in July 2022.
In Pennsylvania, $2.1 million has been approved for Westfield Township in Tioga County. This funding will assist in repairing roads throughout the township that were damaged by Tropical Storm Debby.
FEMA confirmed that it will continue to review additional projects and allocate funds on an ongoing basis as work plans are finalized. Local governments and agencies are encouraged to submit their projects for consideration to ensure that their communities receive the necessary support for recovery.
As recovery efforts progress, communities affected by recent disasters can look forward to the much-needed financial assistance to restore vital public services and infrastructure.
