A dozen West Virginia counties ravaged by flooding in June will stay under a state of emergency for another month.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced Thursday that the state of emergency would extend to Aug. 22.
It will continue applying in Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties.
Tomblin said continuing the state of emergency will ensure that all available state resources are provided to rebuild homes, businesses and communities.
On June 23, pounding rains brought flash floods that killed 23 people, destroyed homes and businesses, and ripped apart infrastructure.
At one point, 44 of West Virginia's 55 counties were under the state of emergency.
Despite the extension, Disaster Recovery Centers in Summers, Lincoln, Fayette and Pocahontas counties, and one in Summersville, Nicholas County, will close permanently at 6 p.m. today.
Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said the services available at the recovery centers also are available on a helpline run by FEMA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. By calling 800-621-3362 (voice 711 or video relay services) or 800-462-7585 for TTY users, flood survivors can register with FEMA, receive information on home inspections, ask questions, learn how to appeal a decision and more.
Those affected by flooding also can register with FEMA online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
Other Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Clay, White Sulphur Springs, Rainelle, Charleston, Clendenin, Alderson, Richwood, Birch River, Left Hand, and Webster Springs.
On Thursday, FEMA announced that the amount in disaster assistance grants approved for West Virginia homeowners and renters affected by the severe weather between June 22-29 has reached more than $46.4 million, less than a month after President Barack Obama issued a major disaster declaration for West Virginia.
That total includes FEMA grants of nearly $27.5 million in housing assistance, more than $5 million in other needs assistance and $924,000 in public assistance.
In addition, more than $13 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration have been provided to West Virginians, according to a news release.
Nearly 7,600 households and businesses have registered with the FEMA, so far.
West Virginians who need assistance or wish to help those affected by last month's flooding are encouraged to visit www.wvflood.com.