WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSAZ) -- President Obama declared Saturday that a major disaster exists in the State of West Virginia and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

The President's action today makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Greenbrier, Kanawha, and Nicholas counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state and eligible local governments, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures.

Funding is also available for hazard mitigation meaures statewide.

W. Craig Fugate, Administratior, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security, named Albert Lewis as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the area.

FEMA said that damage surveys are still continuing in other areas, and more counties and additional forms of assistance may be designated after assessments are fully completed.

FEMA asks residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties to apply for asssistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.