Following a devastating EF-2 tornado in Morgan County, local officials are facing the grim reality that federal relief may not be forthcoming. Morgan County Executive Brian Langley explained that the damage must exceed $13 million statewide for federal support to kick in, and current estimates suggest the county will fall short of this mark. Despite the storm claiming two lives and damaging or destroying 39 homes, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance seems unlikely, WVLT-TV reported.
Representative Ed Butler has indicated efforts to confer with the governor for state aid, "I'm working with the governor to see what we can do right now for my constituents in Morgan County," he told WVLT-TV. Langley suggested that the rural nature of the region, with typically less costly homes, affects the aid calculation adversely, which can leave smaller, rural counties overlooked in these tragic circumstances.
Meanwhile, residents of Morgan County are receiving aid from a different source: inmates from the Morgan County Correctional Complex. Work release crews have been deployed in the aftermath of the tornado, assisting with cleaning up debris and cutting fallen trees, among other tasks. Morgan County Chief of Corrections Aaron Evans described the mutual benefits of this arrangement in a statement obtained by WATE, stating that the program gives inmates "a sense of responsibility, a sense of rehabilitation, and a sense of doing something for their community."
In the meantime, county officials plan to address the ongoing concerns and recovery efforts in upcoming meetings, according to a 991 The Sports Animal report. The community, now reliant on state support and local initiative, hopes for a timely and effective response to assist those affected by the natural disaster.
