Bluefield Daily Telegraph
— Help is on the way for 15 southern West Virginia counties struggling to recover winter’s relentless onslaught.
President Barack Obama declared a federal disaster Tuesday for several southern West Virginia counties, including McDowell, Wyoming, Mingo and Raleigh counties.
Obama ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the 15 counties that were impacted by the Dec. 18, 2009, monster storm. The storm dumped more than a foot of wet, heavy snow on the region, and lefts thousands across the region without electricity for several days.
Some in McDowell County were stranded for more than 12 days without electricity and food following the storm.
In a White House press release, Obama said federal funding is available to the state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the recent winter storms.
In addition, assistance also will be made available to the state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency pro-active measures.
Ray Bailey, president of the McDowell County Commission, said the federal assistance is welcomed. According to Bailey, damage across the county was widespread following the monster storm, including reports of trees falling onto homes and mobile homes. Some living in the Panther community went as long as 12 days without electricity following the storm.
Bailey, who admits county officials were unprepared for the devastating storm, said officials are now working to set up 17 new emergency shelters in the county to assist with future disasters.
According to Bailey, thousands of dollars in food was lost following the storm after homes, businesses and schools across the county went for days without electricity. Had emergency shelters been in place following the storm, Bailey said some of the food lost at the schools could have been saved or relocated to a shelter.
With warmer air in the forecast, the county is now bracing for the possibility of flooding. Bailey said officials are working with volunteer fire departments and other emergency officials across the county to be prepared for the next disaster.
We are glad to see that officials in McDowell County are taking proactive steps to prepare for the next disaster. It is our hope that the federal disaster declaration will provide additional tools to assist with the ongoing recovery efforts.
