FEMADR-4291-VAMajor disasterDeclared November 2, 2016
DR-4291-VA: Virginia Hurricane Matthew
FEMA made a major disaster declaration for Virginia (DR-4291-VA) on November 2, 2016 for the incident of October 7, 2016 to October 15, 2016; it covers 10 designated areas. FEMA had approved $10.2 million for 2,261 households through the Individuals and Households Program (as of October 1, 2026) and obligated $16.8 million in Public Assistance (as of May 17, 2026).
The declaration
- Declaration
- DR-4291-VA (also written FEMA-4291-DR)
- Type
- Major disaster declaration
- State
- Virginia
- Incident
- Hurricane: Hurricane Matthew
- Incident period
- October 7, 2016 to October 15, 2016
- Declared
- November 2, 2016
- Programs declared
- Individuals and Households, Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation
- FEMA region
- 3
- Place in the year
- the second of 2 major disaster declarations for Virginia in 2016
- Status
- open (not yet closed out by FEMA)
- Registration deadline (individual help)
- January 3, 2017
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Franklin | — | Yes | Yes |
| Hampton | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Isle of Wight (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Newport News | Yes | — | Yes |
| Norfolk | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portsmouth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Southampton (County) | — | Yes | Yes |
| Suffolk | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virginia Beach | 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?
2,261households approved for help (IHP)
$10.2 millionIndividuals and Households Program approved
$8.2 millionof it for housing
$2.0 millionof it for other needs
$16.8 millionPublic Assistance obligated
$2.7 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.
Source: FEMA, OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries (v2). Data as of September 29, 2026.
FEMA's page for this declaration
FEMA's own page for this declaration is fema.gov/disaster/4291. AreaZine is not FEMA and cannot answer questions about an application. Registration for individual help closed on January 3, 2017.