Senator Warner released the following statement today after the Federal Emergency Management Administration denied Virginia’s appeals for federal assistance to help individuals recover from a series of tornadoes that struck in April:

“I am extremely disappointed in FEMA’s denial of Virginia’s request for disaster assistance. It is hard to explain how Virginia families and businesses do not qualify for disaster aid when that designation was granted to similar communities in other states which saw what appears to be the same level of damage from this same storm system. 

“Now that FEMA has denied Virginia’s requests, we will work with state and local leaders, members of the congressional delegation and the nonprofit community to make sure Virginia residents have access to other forms of assistance that might be available, including low-interest loans and grants through USDA and the Small Business Administration.”