Ivan Flood Debris Over 8,000 Tons, Better Than 90 Percent Removed
$2 Million Operation Involved National Guard, West Virginia Division of Highways, Local Governments and Private Contractors
Release Date: October 19, 2004
Release Number: 1558-062
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Curbside debris in the West Virginia portion of the Hurricane Ivan flooding disaster totals 8,064 tons and has been better than 90 percent removed, officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today.
Removal of an additional smaller amount of demolition and woody debris is about 75 percent complete.
The debris removal operation began shortly after President Bush declared a major disaster in West Virginia counties affected by Hurricane Ivan on September 20. It was spearheaded by 1,000 National Guard troops marshaled by the West Virginia Adjutant General’s office. The debris sweeps included a total deployment, possibly, of another 1,000 state and local workers in nine reporting disaster counties.
Federal funds will underwrite 75 percent of the debris removal costs. The estimated $2 million cost of the effort would likely have doubled had it not been for the involvement of the National Guard’s troops, debris loaders and trucks, the officials said. Additionally, the West Virginia Division of Highways provided 70 trucks, seven debris loaders and their drivers and operators. FEMA and the state of West Virginia deployed a 30-member quality control team to oversee and coordinate the effort.
“Carting off the debris caused by the Hurricane Ivan flooding has been a superb team effort”, said Lou Botta, federal coordinating officer. “Working with local governments, the state of West Virginia assembled a highly effective response group.”
“We appreciated the patience of the residents and business people who piled all that debris to be picked up,” Steve Kappa, state coordinating officer said. “Removing it was a taxing, but successful, effort.”
The debris was trucked to environmentally compatible landfills. Ohio and Wetzel counties generated the most tonnage, 2,795.5 and 2,325 each.
The other totals are: Brooke County, 1,131.4 tons; Hancock County, 1,039.6 ; Marshall County, 10.2 ; Tyler County 58.6; Pleasants County, 223.7; Wood County, 450.9 and Berkeley County, 29.6 tons.
Not all the flood-generated debris went to landfills. Some of it, silt deposited by the receeding floodwaters, remains in place on fields and, properly treated, will be seeded and become part of the landscape.
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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Oct-2004 12:14:44