A month after intense rainfall drove streams from their banks and devastated communities along the Tug Fork River in southern West Virginia, the cleanup goes on.
"It wasn't widespread, but where the rains hit it was really intense," said FEMA spokesman Frank Blake.
It marks the 18th time since 1954 that Mingo County has been part of a federal disaster declaration. Blake says to date, FEMA has dolled out more than $8 million in federal assistance to flood victims in the region. Blake says they expect to top 3,900 victims filing for assistance soon. Although the phone call registrations are beginning to level off.
The damage was equally severe in neighboring Wyoming County near the Hanover community. However, Blake says as in most disasters neighbor helping neighbor has been the silver lining to an otherwise dark cloud.
"I saw everything from huge heavy equipment from coal companies down to one neighbor loaning his neighbor a pickup truck," Blake said on MetroNews Talkline Thursday.
Blake stresses their offices are still in operation and will remain up and running for several months to come for those in need of assistance. There's also a fear new flooding will compound the problems.
"We have had some minor flooding on these late afternoon thunderstorms and we've had some mudslides," said Blake. "Those efforts are still ready to respond."
FEMA also announced Thursday it will open a Disaster Recovery Center in the Raleigh County community of Rhodell for six days beginning June 15. The center will be at city hall.
Registration with FEMA can be made at 1-800-621-FEMA or DisasterAssistance.gov.
