PRINCETON — Gov. Joe Manchin asked President Barack Obama Wednesday to authorize a federal disaster declaration for Mercer County as a result of widespread flooding last weekend.
The state’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., joined Manchin in calling upon Obama to declare a federal disaster in Mercer, Summers, Raleigh, Fayette, Greenbrier and Kanawha counties.
“Our state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and a number of state and local agencies have worked quickly to complete this disaster request,” Manchin said. “I appreciate everyone working together and expediently on this declaration, which will allow our citizens to receive the aid that is needed as soon as possible. I also want to thank all the volunteers and citizens who are pitching in with assistance and donations to help those affected by the floods.”
Damage assessments continued Wednesday in Mercer County. Rick Delp of District 10 of the West Virginia Division of Highways said that, as of Wednesday afternoon, the total damage to Mercer County roads was $3.6 million, “and the figure is going up,” he said. According to Delp, damage to roads from last weekend’s flooding in Raleigh County is about $600,000, “and the damage in McDowell and Wyoming counties is minimal.”
Delp said that he conducted “windshield estimates” on Saturday and Sunday, and has been back each day this week noting the latitude and longitude of each damaged section of highway. “A slide above the road doesn’t cost as much to repair as a slip beneath the road,” he said. “Mercer got hit the hardest,” he added, noting that roads in Spanishburg, Ridge Creek, Kellysville, Hale’s Tank, Kelly’s Tank and other parts of the county have damage.
Tim Farley, county emergency services director, said officials have already viewed approximately 100 structures — both residential and commercial — that were damaged by the weekend flooding.
“What is going on right now is I’ve got some National Guard units in here, and they are also assisting with doing some assessments for me,” Farley said. “I’m taking some of the information I’ve received from callers, and we are actually doing site visits from calls. And I have a FEMA rep coming in (today) to actually do some visits.”
A hotline has been set up for citizens in Mercer County to report damage to residential and commercial structures. The number is (304) 487-8448.
Lawmakers urged Obama to move quickly Wednesday on the federal disaster request.
“West Virginians are committed to recovering from this disaster and need the available federal resources to hasten that recovery,” Rahall said. “I am urging the president to give immediate attention to this matter so that federal assistance can be made available as quickly as possible.”
In letters to Obama and FEMA, Byrd wrote, “Gov. Manchin has taken appropriate action under state law by executing the state emergency plan, in accordance with the Stafford Act. West Virginia has experienced multiple severe weather events over the last several months, and recovery continues. The assistance that will be made available to the many victims of this disaster is highly justifiable.”
Byrd, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which has budgetary jurisdiction over FEMA, added in the letter, “Your past responsiveness to similar requests for disaster assistance is deeply appreciated. I would, therefore, urge you to again give your prompt and favorable consideration to Gov. Manchin’s request for an emergency declaration for West Virginia.”
“The recent flooding has caused great hardship to the lives of many West Virginians,” Rockefeller added. “The damages caused on March 12, 2010, by high winds, heavy rains, snow melt, flooding and landslides are beyond the magnitude of the capabilities of the state and local governments to adequately repair damages alone. The impact of West Virginia solely funding the response and assistance to this disaster would certainly overwhelm the state’s economic resources as well as its ability to provide disaster assistance to its citizens.”
Local News
March 18, 2010
Fed flood aid sought
- Local News
-
- AFTERNOON UPDATE: Officials say no foul play suspected in fatal fire
- AFTERNOON UPDATE: Spay-neuter supporters plan second push before Mercer commission
- MORNING UPDATE: Today is the deadline for voter registration in Va. primary
-
1 dies in fire
Virginia State Police arson investigators were called to Buchanan County on Sunday to investigate a fatal fire at a residence in Oakwood.
-
Officials transport 2 victims from I-77 wreck
-
Change taking place in Pocahontas
-
‘Mad scientist in charge of mad students’ creating battle bots at BSC
- Officials in Tazewell County looking forward to breaking ground on ATV trail system
-
Slick conditions result in several vehicle accidents
-
Love flourishes for state’s longest-married couple
- More Local News Headlines
