Virginia was notified last Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has denied all three appeals for federal assistance to help individuals recover from 34 tornadoes that struck the state in April.

The tornado on April 16 destroyed 10 structures in Gloucester and affected nearly 180 others, causing an estimated $8.3 million in damages. This does not include additional damages of $16 million done to Page Middle School as a result of the storm.

On May 19, Gov. Bob McDonnell appealed FEMA’s denial of three separate requests—for Pulaski County, for Halifax and Washington counties, and a request to consider April 8-28 as one period so that other localities including Gloucester and Middlesex counties could be added. 

"I am very disappointed that FEMA denied our appeals for disaster assistance to help Virginians recover from the April tornadoes," McDonnell said. "The denial of assistance will definitely have an impact on those struggling to...