West Virginia floods destroyed about 2,050 homes and prompted 8,541 people to seek federal assistance, at last count, the leader of the West Virginia National Guard reported to the Legislature on Monday.
Maj. Gen. James Hoyer told lawmakers that he expects more claims through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to trickle in through Sept. 7, the new deadline to file requests for assistance.
According to the latest data, 39 percent of those filing flood-relief claims are classified as low-income residents.
Also, 36 percent of filers live in areas located outside flood plains. In Clay County, one of the hardest-hit areas of the state, nearly half of those whose homes were damaged or destroyed live outside flood plains.
"It's an issue we've got to look at as we address housing and long-term recovery," Hoyer said during his flood update at the state Capitol on Monday.
Greenbrier County had a high percentage of seniors apply for FEMA flood assistance. Clay County had the highest percentage of low-income residents affected by the June floods.
"Each county is different and unique," Hoyer said. "We've got challenges as we press to address housing and the economic recovery angle."
Delegate Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, said Department of Health and Human Resources officials sometimes block volunteer demolition crews from tearing down flood-damaged buildings.
"To the agencies that may be listening, it's a pretty frustrating experience when our representatives show up for work, and they're told they can't go and volunteer because of an asbestos abatement issue," Hanshaw said. "On the spectrum of possible health hazards as a result of this flooding, that barely makes the list, if it makes the list at all."
Hoyer said he hopes to have a statewide flood-damage cost estimate by the end of the week after Labor Day. A state of emergency was declared in 12 counties ravaged by the June floods.
"We don't want to give you bad numbers," he said. "There are so many moving parts right now."
Later Monday, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin extended the state of emergency regarding the floods for eight counties - Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas, Roane, Summers and Webster. Tomblin lifted the state of emergency in Jackson, Lincoln, Monroe and Pocahontas counties.
Hoyer also reported:
n The National Guard has spent $6.5 million on flood cleanup. Guard personnel started tearing down houses in Greenbrier County on Saturday. The Guard plans to turn over demolition work to private contractors. Guard employees will manage those contracts.
"We're trying to use contractors, where we can, to create an economic opportunity out of a bad situation," Hoyer said.
n Volunteer groups have donated $6 million in cash, supplies and services for flood relief.
Reach Eric Eyre at ericeyre@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4869 or follow @ericeyre on Twitter.