Tazewell County officials outline storm-recovery steps, FEMA reimbursements and DHCD individual flood grant rollout

Tazewell County officials on June 27 updated the Board of Supervisors on storm damage assessments and relief programs, including FEMA damage reimbursements, permitting hurdles for stream cleanup and a newly available Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) individual flood grant for homeowners.

Public Works and emergency-management staff said they toured multiple blocked stream sites after recent storms. The county showed photos of debris and blocked culverts and highlighted one location where an aging sewer pipe had debris piled against it; staff warned that failure there could release sewer into a stream and hamper access to a sewer plant. County staff said federal and state permitting (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Natural Resources Conservation Service) can require multi-year review, but FEMA can authorize emergency exemptions when infrastructure or life-safety is at risk.

"If FEMA declares that it is emergency and it's gonna damage public infrastructure or endanger life, then we can do this without the permitting period," county staff said, describing the practical implication for immediate work.

Reimbursements and assistance programs

- FEMA reimbursements: Staff said FEMA has approved an initial payment of about $300,000 to help cover landfill leachate costs associated with Winter Storm Helene, with additional FEMA claims pending (including a roughly $200,000 application for leachate tied to February floods and a separate claim for diversion costs totaling roughly $600,000). Timing for FEMA awards remains uncertain.

- DHCD Individual Flood Grant: County staff said the DHCD program for homeowners is now open; the county is advertising the program and will host community meetings in July in Richlands and Bluefield to assist applicants. The grant covers damage to residential structures that were occupied at the time of the event and suffered major or total damage; the county noted driveway damage does not qualify. Staff said documentation helps but is not always required if VDEM inspected the property and confirmed major damage during the storm.

County outreach and logistics

Staff said the county will mail application packets to property owners who were identified during storm assessments and will have staff available at community meetings and the county office to help applicants complete paperwork. The county is also coordinating with United Way funds for cases that fall outside DHCD rules to help residents who do not qualify for the DHCD program.

Next steps

Staff said they will continue to work with FEMA, U.S. Army Corps and state agencies to seek emergency exemptions for selected stream-clearing projects and will advertise and host DHCD application events in July. The county urged homeowners to apply as soon as possible; DHCD had not set a firm application deadline at the time of the meeting.

Ending: County staff characterized the recovery effort as ongoing and encouraged residents with storm damage to attend local assistance meetings or visit tasselcountyva.org/stormrelief for details and application materials.