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Obama OKs federal aid for W.Va. communities

The federal disaster declaration lets residents in three counties get aid for temporary housing and home repairs, receive low-cost loans

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Bridgeport W.Va. firefighters, Steve Gallo, left, and Ryan Moran, center, are joined by an unidentified co-worker as they walk through a flooded street while searching homes.

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Associated Press

CLENDENIN, W.Va. — Offering his condolences, President Barack Obama approved federal aid for the West Virginia communities devastated by floods that have killed at least 24 people and rendered many more homeless.

Obama’s signature Saturday on the federal disaster declaration lets residents in three counties get aid for temporary housing and home repairs, receive low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and qualify for other assistance for individuals and business owners. Federal money to help the state and local governments is also available on a cost-sharing basis.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s administration still believes there are people missing in Greenbrier County. The other two counties in the declaration are Kanawha and Nicholas.