Harrison County FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Moves to Courthouse

For two weeks, residents dealing with the aftermath of mid-August flash flooding in Harrison County walked into Bridgeport City Hall to file federal paperwork. Starting Monday morning at 7:30 a.m., those looking for face-to-face help from disaster relief officials will need to head down the road to a new address. WV MetroNews reported that the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center is officially shifting its operations from municipal chambers over to the Harrison County Courthouse.

Moving from Bridgeport to Clarksburg

The transition marks a physical shift for a joint federal-local operation that first opened its doors on October 20, 2026, following severe storms that battered the region between August 14 and 18. According to coverage from WDTV, the center spent its initial weeks operating out of Bridgeport City Hall. The Harrison County Commission notes that the facility is a collaborative effort involving the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and county leadership.

HARRISON COUNTY, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday for Harrison County following severe damage to highways and roadways caused by storms that began Sept. 29.The proclamation takes effect immediately and remains in place for 30 days unless extended… pic.twitter.com/EKhWLaBuDr

— https://x.com/IowaPulse/status/2114833639506600399

Doors will be open Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., though officials noted the center will close for Election Day on Tuesday, November 3.

What Support Awaits at the Courthouse

President Donald Trump issued a federal disaster declaration for Harrison, Kanawha, and Fayette counties following the August storms, unlocking individual assistance for residents whose losses were not fully covered by insurance. Inside the recovery center, personnel from FEMA and the Small Business Administration sit ready to walk applicants through the process.

“Residents are encouraged to meet with FEMA staff in-person to receive assistance applying, uploading documentation, or to ask questions regarding the disaster assistance process,” a release shared by WV MetroNews states.

SBA representatives are also stationed on-site to help property owners and local business operators navigate low-interest disaster loans. As Riley Oates with SBA disaster recovery explained to WDTV, “If people need additional funds to get their roof fixed, to get their water drained out of their basement, to get any kind of repairs done, we can provide them with the assistance for that.” Those SBA loans can stretch up to $500,000 for home damages, $100,000 for personal property losses, and as much as $2 million for small businesses and nonprofits.

Deadlines and Digital Alternatives

Time is running out for families who have yet to file their paperwork. The final deadline to submit applications for federal assistance is December 7, giving applicants roughly a month from the courthouse relocation to get their files in order.

Harrison County FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Moves to Courthouse — Photo: wdtv.com

While visiting the recovery center in person offers the advantage of direct assistance from agency staffers, it is not the only option available to flood victims. Residents can also submit their information independently using the FEMA mobile app, calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or registering directly through the official Disaster Assistance website. Additional details and emergency management updates are maintained by state authorities through the West Virginia Emergency Management Division.

Officials remind applicants to bring thorough documentation, including photographs of property damage, repair receipts, and details of any insurance payouts, as federal assistance cannot duplicate benefits already covered by private policies.