The Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied Virginia’s request for aid for individuals whose property was damaged by the Aug. 23 earthquake.
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the agency’s decision last Friday. He said he’s disappointed and will immediately appeal.
The 5.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Louisa County caused an estimated $15 million in residential property damage in Virginia. McDonnell says most of that damage was not covered by insurance, and federal assistance is necessary to help Virginians get their homes back in working order.
The aid sought by McDonnell would have provided low-interest loans, grants, unemployment assistance, disaster housing assistance and crisis counseling.
“If damage from a once-in-a-generation, 5.8 magnitude earthquake does not qualify for federal disaster relief, then I don’t know what does,” U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said in a statement.
Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Virginia
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
McKinsey Rebukes Partner Who Questioned Challenges Facing Women CEOs 
Here Are Some AI Doomsday Scenarios Researchers Say Could Put Humanity at Risk 
Another Crane, Then Another, Collapses Onto Home in Fort Lauderdale 
Independent Agencies Total About 37,000 in 2026, a Decrease From 2024 
