Lewis County public agencies and nonprofits with damage or emergency costs from the July 21–22, 2026, storms are invited to an online disaster assistance briefing Friday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m. Eastern. Requests for Public Assistance are due Friday, Nov. 6.
The Upshur County Commission announced the briefing in an Oct. 8 Facebook post. According to the commission, Public Assistance was added Oct. 7 to the DR-4932-WV major disaster declaration for Lewis, Barbour, Doddridge, Pendleton, Pleasants, Randolph, Ritchie, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel counties.
The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management Public Assistance program can reimburse eligible costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to damaged public facilities. Those facilities include roads, bridges, culverts, water and sewer systems, buildings and parks, the commission said.
Who should attend
The invitation includes county commissions, municipalities, boards of education, public service districts and other special districts, including utility boards, building commissions, development and airport authorities, libraries and similar bodies.
Private nonprofits that own or operate facilities open to the public are also invited. The announcement lists volunteer fire departments, senior centers, houses of worship and nonprofit utilities as examples. Organizations unsure whether they qualify are welcome to attend; participation does not commit them to applying.
How to join
The briefing begins Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern on Google Meet. Participants can also join by phone at +1 571-353-1071 with PIN 951 467 037#.
Presenters will explain how the program works, which costs it can cover and how to file a Request for Public Assistance before the Nov. 6 deadline. They will also discuss required records—including labor, equipment, contracts, photos and maintenance history—along with procurement rules, common mistakes that can cost applicants money, and what happens after an application is filed.
What to prepare
Before the meeting, organizations are asked to designate an applicant agent and send that person's name, phone number and email address to [email protected].
Organizations should also find their Unique Entity ID, or UEI, from SAM.gov. Those without one can get guidance from Public Assistance staff.
The commission recommends starting a simple list of damaged sites and work completed since July 21. West Virginia emergency management and FEMA staff will meet with each applicant in the coming weeks to discuss damage and disaster-related costs in more detail.
Additional applicant briefings will be scheduled in the coming weeks, according to the announcement.