Fifth Mobile Home Park Opening In Logan/Lincoln County
Release Date: October 21, 2004
Release Number: 1558-066
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Federal and state officials are dedicating West Virginia's fifth mobile home park in response to this summer's storms tomorrow (Friday) near Chapmanville in the southern coal fields. This temporary housing site, to be known as the Winchester Estates Mobile Home Park, will be the final one.
The new park, on the Lincoln-Logan county line, will have pads for 47 mobile homes to accommodate individuals and families displaced by the storms' flooding and landslides. It has been developed at the former Winchester coal operation on West Virginia State Route 10 three miles north of Chapmanville. In all, the five parks have 158 mobile home pads. The others are in neighboring Mingo County - Parks Manor at Taylorville, Daniels Memorial Park at Myrtle, and the R. A. West Memorial and Willis Court parks at Varney.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides temporary housing to residents of disaster-declared counties when no other housing is available. Mobile homes can be leased for up to 18 months, while permanent quarters are being sought. The occupants are responsible for the utility charges.
"Safe, secure housing is FEMA's top disaster priority, said Lou Botta, federal coordinating officer. "It has been challenging to provide these parks, but the need is being met."
"In the southern coal fields," Steve Kappa, West Virginia's state coordinating officer noted, "disaster housing is usually a prime need. We're pleased it has been addressed aggressively."
Working with the Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA seeks suitable locations for mobile home parks. All local housing codes and ordinances are complied with.
The Winchester Park site was formerly used as a "coal tipple" to load West Virginia's key energy export. FEMA and the Corps of Engineers worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assure the site was suitable for habitation before negotiating with the property owner to lease the land.
FEMA Individual Assistance representatives visit the occupants of mobile homes to monitor their progress toward moving back to newly repaired homes or finding other accommodations.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 21-Oct-2004 11:56:03