FEMADR-1838-WVMajor disasterDeclared May 15, 2009
DR-1838-WV: West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides
FEMA made a major disaster declaration for West Virginia (DR-1838-WV) on May 15, 2009 for the incident of May 3, 2009 to June 8, 2009; it covers 11 designated areas. FEMA had approved $13.9 million for 2,874 households through the Individuals and Households Program (as of October 1, 2026) and obligated $21.4 million in Public Assistance (as of May 17, 2026).
The declaration
- Declaration
- DR-1838-WV (also written FEMA-1838-DR)
- Type
- Major disaster declaration
- State
- West Virginia
- Incident
- Severe Storm: Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides
- Incident period
- May 3, 2009 to June 8, 2009
- Declared
- May 15, 2009
- Programs declared
- Individuals and Households, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation
- FEMA region
- 3
- Place in the year
- the only major disaster declaration for West Virginia in 2009
- Status
- closed out on August 18, 2016
- Registration deadline (individual help)
- July 14, 2009
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
Which areas are covered, and for what?
| Designated area | Individuals and Households | Public Assistance | Hazard Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun (County) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gilmer (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Lewis (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| McDowell (County) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mercer (County) | Yes | Yes | — |
| Mingo (County) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Raleigh (County) | Yes | Yes | — |
| Roane (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Upshur (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Wirt (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Wyoming (County) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
An area can be added to a declaration after the first day, or have a program added: this table is FEMA's current list.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
How much has FEMA approved?
2,874households approved for help (IHP)
$13.9 millionIndividuals and Households Program approved
$13.0 millionof it for housing
$857,205of it for other needs
$21.4 millionPublic Assistance obligated
$4.3 millionHazard Mitigation Grant Program obligated
Individual assistance figures as of October 1, 2026, public assistance as of May 17, 2026. FEMA updates both as applications are decided.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2); FEMA, OpenFEMA FEMA Web Disaster Summaries (v1). Data as of September 29, 2026.
FEMA's page for this declaration
FEMA's own page for this declaration is fema.gov/disaster/1838. AreaZine is not FEMA and cannot answer questions about an application. Registration for individual help closed on July 14, 2009.