Governor Urges Schools to Tally Flood Damage Numbers

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is urging county school boards to tally their flood damages quickly so he can call a special session later this month to address flood costs. School damages will be key in determining whether the state has to foot 25 percent of flood costs, or just 10 percent. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will increase its cost share from 75 to 90 percent if the state can show it suffered about $254 million in damage costs or more. Tomblin says he hopes to have school damage numbers soon so he can call lawmakers into session while they’re already in town for the Sept. 18-20 interim meetings.