Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Flooding has ravaged counties across West Virginia the last few months and as some areas have had their disaster declarations approved for individual assistance, other affected by this summer's flooding are having theirs denied for now.
Roger Bryant, like emergency managers across flood stricken West Virginia, has been going over the damage reports in the county he manages, hoping the families who've had their homes destroyed get relief.
"I'm sure there are still people suffering," Bryant said. "There are still people who have not made the necessary repairs to their homes or structures or yards or outbuildings or whatever. I think the initial response is probably complete, but the long-term effects of that damage is still there."
After floodwaters tore through Logan County back in June, Bryant said some of the community is now starting to understand some of the long-term impacts of the damage.
"It's not going away until we try to get it fixed," he said.
Another hit came to the county when their request for disaster relief was denied by Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"My first emotion was that it was disappointing because we were hoping that we would get the FEMA declaration to try to help the folks of Logan County," Bryant said.
None of the 88 requests for help in Logan County reported that they have flood insurance, Bryant said. For many, it's because they can't afford it.
"Some of these people are disabled coal miners," he said. "Some of them are disabled veterans and we have a large population in the county that's underserved to say the least, so, we're trying to look out for those folks and trying to get the help we can."
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey was quick to appeal FEMA's decision and when that happened, Bryant, who's a U.S. Marine veteran, said that many in the county, including individuals and government officials, started to do everything they could to help with the appeal.
"We're certainty doing everything we cannot just to assist in the appeal but we're also trying to follow up on what other resources might be available to try to get whatever help to the people," he said. "Whether it's volunteer agencies, religious charities or any avenue that we can find to try to address the needs of the people of the county."
Regardless of what resources are approved for the people impacted by recent storms in Logan County, Bryant said the worst case scenario is that they'll continue to rely on the kindness and strength of their communities.
"Mountain people, not just in Logan County, but mountain people in general are very resilient," Bryant said. "They find a way to survive. They find a way to get the job done. We're hoping we get the help, but even if we don't get the help, hang in there because we'll get through it."
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/families-left-behind-in-femas-denial-of-disaster-relief-in-logan-co
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
Flooding has ravaged counties across West Virginia the last few months and as some areas have had their disaster declarations approved for individual assistance, other affected by this summer's flooding are having theirs denied for now.
Roger Bryant, like emergency managers across flood stricken West Virginia, has been going over the damage reports in the county he manages, hoping the families who've had their homes destroyed get relief.
"I'm sure there are still people suffering," Bryant said. "There are still people who have not made the necessary repairs to their homes or structures or yards or outbuildings or whatever. I think the initial response is probably complete, but the long-term effects of that damage is still there."
After floodwaters tore through Logan County back in June, Bryant said some of the community is now starting to understand some of the long-term impacts of the damage.
"It's not going away until we try to get it fixed," he said.
Another hit came to the county when their request for disaster relief was denied by Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"My first emotion was that it was disappointing because we were hoping that we would get the FEMA declaration to try to help the folks of Logan County," Bryant said.
None of the 88 requests for help in Logan County reported that they have flood insurance, Bryant said. For many, it's because they can't afford it.
"Some of these people are disabled coal miners," he said. "Some of them are disabled veterans and we have a large population in the county that's underserved to say the least, so, we're trying to look out for those folks and trying to get the help we can."
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey was quick to appeal FEMA's decision and when that happened, Bryant, who's a U.S. Marine veteran, said that many in the county, including individuals and government officials, started to do everything they could to help with the appeal.
"We're certainty doing everything we cannot just to assist in the appeal but we're also trying to follow up on what other resources might be available to try to get whatever help to the people," he said. "Whether it's volunteer agencies, religious charities or any avenue that we can find to try to address the needs of the people of the county."
Regardless of what resources are approved for the people impacted by recent storms in Logan County, Bryant said the worst case scenario is that they'll continue to rely on the kindness and strength of their communities.
"Mountain people, not just in Logan County, but mountain people in general are very resilient," Bryant said. "They find a way to survive. They find a way to get the job done. We're hoping we get the help, but even if we don't get the help, hang in there because we'll get through it."
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/families-left-behind-in-femas-denial-of-disaster-relief-in-logan-co
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
