The small town of Mineral, Virginia is still repairing the damage from the 5.8 magnitude that hit just miles from town in August. But now Governor Bob McDonnell wants the President to see the damage firsthand.
McDonnell sent a letter to President Obama asking him to visit the town at the epicenter of the quake while he is in Virginia next week promoting his jobs bill. Mineral is just a 45-minute drive from Charlottesville, one of the four Virginia cities the President will visit on his two state bus tour through Virginia and North Carolina.
The request comes after FEMA turned down Virginia’s application for federal assistance last week that would have provided funds for individuals whose homes or businesses were damaged. McDonnell says the state estimates uninsured property damage from the quake and more than 40 aftershocks is as least $15 million.
A White House spokeswoman says they are reviewing the letter. McDonnell says Virginia will appeal FEMA’s decision to deny the aid.
