State makes appeal for financial help for tornado victims in Appomattox County

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APPOMATTOX COUNTY (WSLS10) - The state is hoping the federal government will grant a second request for financial help for tornado victims in Appomattox County. Last week, an appeal for federal disaster relief made its way to the White House after the first request was denied in March. We learned many people in the community face challenges as they wait for a decision from the government.

Nearly three months after tornadoes ripped through homes, the community of Appomattox County is starting to rebuild.

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"I finally decided on a builder and got that in motion," said homeowner Amy Covington.

Covington, a single mother of three, told us her home was turned upside down and ripped apart from the storm.

Now, all rubble is all that's left of Covington's home. However, she said she is one of the lucky ones. Her insurance is covering the cost to rebuild.

"I've had no problems with them, but unfortunately, I know a couple people that have," said Covington.

"We have some people that are uninsured, under insured and we have those that have needs because there are individuals that lost items that are not covered though insurance," said County Administrator Susan Adams

Adams told us about 40-percent of the community lacks home and renters insurance. If federal aid is approved, the money would help those people rebuild and provide transitional shelter.

Overall, the county estimates more than 11-million-dollars in damages.

"We just really hope that FEMA will step in and help because we've heard some of the horror stories," said Covington.

County leaders added if financial help is not approved, they will look to the state and fundraise to get the money the community needs to build from the ground up.