CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – In addition to their legislative work this week, members of the West Virginia House of Delegates and State Senate have come together to collect donations for residents affected by severe flooding across the state.
During the Feb. 21 floor session, Delegate David Green (R-McDowell) described the devastating impact of the flooding in McDowell County, which saw record-breaking water levels—three feet higher than historic records.
“There was no community in McDowell County that did not feel the impact of the flood,” Green said, noting that four people lost their lives, including a couple, their 2-year-old grandchild, and a firefighter.
Flood Damage and Recovery Efforts
The flooding left 75% of McDowell County without power or water, and damaged roads restricted more than half of the county from accessing its only hospital.
“Many residents are still stranded with their personal access bridges or roads completely washed away,” Green said, adding that some families remain in emergency shelters and schools are temporarily closed while officials work on a recovery plan.
Utility services are being restored, but challenges remain:
- 10 homes are still without power.
- 4,000 residents lack public water, and another 2,000 cannot use their wells until they are sanitized.
- 35% of the county remains without phone service.
Despite the hardships, Green expressed gratitude for the support from fellow lawmakers and relief efforts.
“McDowell County is resilient,” he said. “With each other’s help and support from across this state and nation, we will get through this and come back stronger.”
Legislation Moving Forward
Meanwhile, several bills advanced in the House of Delegates, including House Bill 2042, which would allow a guardian ad litem to request a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in neglect and abuse cases.
Delegate Adam Burkhammer (R-Lewis), the bill’s lead sponsor, emphasized that CASA programs, which rely on volunteers, improve outcomes for children without increasing costs to the state.
So far, 794 bills have been introduced in the House, with the deadline for new bills set for March 18. The 60-day legislative session ends at midnight on April 12.
