Agencies Act to Remove Residents from Harm's Way
Release Date: July 26, 2001
Release Number: 1378-34
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms & Flooding
Charleston, WV -- The calamitous floods and mudslides that struck West Virginia recently destroyed many homes and left hundreds of others unlivable--damaged beyond repair. State and federal agencies are moving rapidly to get residents out of flood-prone areas and protect them from future tragedy.
The West Virginia State Fire Marshal, acting under state statutory authority created for emergencies, has condemned over 430 houses. The hard-hit counties of McDowell and Wyoming account for nearly 90 percent of these condemnations.
Property owners normally would have to pay for the removal of these condemned structures. But as part of the disaster recovery assistance, the West Virginia Department of Transportation is expediting title paperwork; the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers is contracting for demolition, removal, and dumping; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state are assuming the costs of demolition and dumping.
FEMA does not condemn property. The agency participates with state and local governments in property buyouts or other hazard mitigation efforts, usually on a 75/25 per cent cost share. But condemnation is the responsibility of state and local officials.
The State of West Virginia has suffered through four flood and mudslide episodes in the past year, two of them given major disaster designations by the President. FEMA and the state Office of Emergency Services will be working well past 2001 to provide disaster recovery assistance for people anxious to rebuild their lives. But they will also be working with residents and local governments to assure greater safety for people and property in future disasters.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 21-Oct-2003 09:58:22