Damaged Wells, Furnaces, Private Roads and Bridges, and Septic Systems May Be Covered by FEMA

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Homeowners typically apply for disaster assistance for structural damages to their property, such as roofs or floors. But other parts of a residence or private property, not covered by insurance, can also be repaired or replaced under FEMA programs.

Damages to your furnace, septic system, private road and/or bridge, or your private well may also be covered by financial assistance from FEMA. 

Residents of Mercer County, whose primary residences were damaged by the Sept. 25-27, 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible to apply. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Feb. 7, 2025.

FEMA disaster assistance may provide reimbursement for the cost of a professional and licensed technician’s estimate of the repair or replacement of these items. You may also receive assistance for the actual repair or replacement of these items not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance.

When applying for assistance, be sure to include damages to furnaces, septic systems, private roads, private bridges, or private wells on your form. 

There are four ways to apply:

• Apply in person at our Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center in Princeton

Princeton Disaster Recovery Center
Lifeline Princeton Church of God 250 Oakvale Road  Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation: Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Closed Sundays

• Visit fema.gov/drc to find the latest recovery center information
• Apply by phone at 800-621-3362
• Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov
• Apply with the FEMA App
• Download the free FEMA mobile app, available at Google Play or the Apple App Store

For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4851 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 833-285-7448. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages).