Halifax County disaster victims encouraged to apply for state recovery assistance


Victims of April tornadoes in Halifax County who continue to have unmet needs may apply for help from the Virginia Disaster Recovery Fund, according to Emergency Services Coordinator Kirby Saunders.

Saunders reported to Halifax County supervisors on Monday evening that 24 structures in the Virgilina and Vernon Hill-Liberty communities were affected with nine of those destroyed and five having major damage.

That number does not include barns and agricultural buildings which were also affected. Sixteen of the 24 structures were either uninsured or underinsured.

Gov. Bob McDonnell, he said, has set up a $600,000 Virginia Recovery Fund to which people may apply for help. Saunders said the maximum amount victims can get will be $15,000, but he stressed that applications must be submitted to his office or that of the Red Cross in order to be eligible for the assistance.

“We just need to know what people need, whether it is home repairs or transportation problems,” Saunders said, noting that the application is a simple one sheet form that can be picked up at the County Administration Office in Halifax where Saunders is located or it can be found on the county website.

“When we know what their needs are, then we try to match those up with local volunteers. We have a task force made up of local government officials, building department officers and others from the Health Department and Department of Social Services working with the victims, Saunders said.

Victims are still eligible to apply for assistance from the state recovery funds although that money goes to local volunteer groups who pledge their help. Saunders says he is still looking for volunteer groups who want to help – church or mission groups as well as scouts and civic clubs.

The county is also getting a $15,000 planning grant which will address housing needs. That, however, will take a much longer time, Saunders said, noting “you won’t see anything until the end of the year.”

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