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West Virginia Governor Calls Special Session on Flood Costs
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is calling lawmakers into session next week to cover recovery costs from deadly floods in June.
On Friday, Tomblin issued a proclamation for a special session to start Sunday.
Tomblin is introducing a bill that would put $85 million in state money toward its flood recovery cost share. The amount would include $55 million from the Rainy Day Fund.
The state has calculated $339.8 million in costs from the floods.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover either 75 or 90 percent of those damages.
Separately, Tomblin is asking President Barack Obama for an additional $310 million in a congressional bill to fuel West Virginia’s long-term economic recovery and community rebuilding.
The June 23 floods killed 23 people and damaged homes, businesses and infrastructure.