The West Virginia floods late last week were blamed for 25deaths, including a member of the $192 million Pioneer WestVirginia FCU, according to President/CEO Dan McGowan.

McGowan said he expects the number of members at theCharleston-based credit union who have suffered hardships as aresult of the natural disaster to grow.

“This week, we're sure to learn of many tragic stories fromother members who have lost their homes, cars, and personaltreasures. Naturally, we'll be working with members one-on-one inany way we may to alleviate their hardships,” he said.

McGowan added his credit union is accepting donations to abenevolence fund to assist flood victims among its membership.

However, he said the flooding had no direct impact on the creditunion.

“We were up and running throughout the entire branch networkwithout interruption,” he said. “None of our staff members had anyreal problems to address at home either.”

Other credit unions in the state have established ways memberscan help those who suffered losses.

In Parkersburg, the $150 million West Virginia Central CreditUnion is accepting donations of household items and clothing,according to Marketing Strategist Whitney Dabbelt. She said hercredit union was not directly affected and that on Friday, allitems donated will be taken to those counties that were badly hit.

The floods largely spared credit unions and employees, officials inthat state said.

“They said they were safe and sound,” West Virginia Credit UnionLeague SVP Rich Schaffer said, adding that was good newsconsidering all the bad news in the state. He said credit unionswere open for business today.

The NCUA also said it has not received any reports of damage tofederally insured credit unions in the state. The worst floodingwas confined to rural counties where there are few credit unionbranches.

NCUA officials reminded credit unions Monday that during naturaldisasters, the agency may encourage credit unions to make prudentloans with special terms and reduced documentation. The NCUAmay also reschedule routine exams, guarantee lines of credit forcredit unions and make loans to meet the liquidity needs of creditunions.

In addition, credit unions designated as low income can applyfor up to $7,500 in urgent need grants to repair facilities orrestore services to members.