FEMA visits Belmont County EMA to document summer storm damage - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

FEMA officials came to the Belmont County EMA for a PDA, but it was definitely not a public display of affection.

It's a Preliminary Damage Assessment, to see how much damage was created in Belmont County's worst summer storm, which lasted the better part of an entire weekend.

It was June 29 through July 2.

First on Friday there were high winds and lots of rain.

Then on Sunday, another storm came through.

Thousands of homes and businesses had no power.

It stretched the resources of cities, counties, towns, hospitals and fire and police departments.

And now if they qualify, they could be reimbursed.

"We are meeting with local county officials to obtain information about how much money they spent in response to the storms," said Leo Skinner of FEMA. "And that would include law enforcement overtime hours, fire department overtime hours, debris removal, emergency repairs from the storm."

"The windstorm came through, knocking out power lines throughout the county plus we also had extreme heat during that week so it kind of made the situation a little more complex."

Those who came in included officials from townships and municipalities, including Martins Ferry and Powhatan, the 911 office, the Belmont County Sanitary Sewer District and the county engineer.

In the end, it will all hinge on whether President Barack Obama issues a federal disaster declaration.