Earlier this week it was announced that residents of Goochland County who were affected by the Aug. 23 earthquake would be included in the Individual Assistance Declaration.

This announcement came after intense work by local and state officials to have the concerns of our residents heard. Our concerns were heard, and on Tuesday the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted Governor Robert McDonnell’s request to have Goochland County added to the list of localities covered under the Individual Assistance Declaration.

This means that individual homeowners may now be eligible for some relief for property loss/damage due to the 5.8 magnitude quake and subsequent aftershocks.

Over the next few days/weeks county officials will be working with representatives of both FEMA as well as the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) to take the next steps toward recovery. Until the formal process is identified,

Goochland County residents, if they have not already done so, should contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 to register. They should also contact Goochland County at 804-556-5304 to register as well.

Additional information will be posted on the county web site (www.co.goochland.va.us) and through local media when it becomes available.