Published: May 13, 2009 09:11 pm      

Lawmakers fighting for flood funds

PRINCETON — Many of southern West Virginia’s residents touched by recent flooding are picking up their lives, but others like Patricia Blackwell of the Matoaka area are still struggling with the high water’s aftermath. The region’s Congressional delegation is urging President Obama to help.

U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. and U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va. have joined Gov. Joe Manchin in asking the president for a federal disaster declaration for Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, Raleigh and Mingo counties.

Residents in parts of Mercer and McDowell counties have been dealing with washed out driveways, flood damage to their homes and other issues. Patricia Blackwell, 43, of Sandlick Road near Matoaka said Wednesday that flood water entered her home and washed away her home’s driveway.

Her mother cannot be taken to her physician, Blackwell said.

“We can’t even get Mom out and she’s paralyzed from the waist down,” said Blackwell, who added to she trying to learn if FEMA was providing assistance. “It’s pretty much a mess. There’s no way we can get out of here to take her to the doctor because of the roadway.”

Rockefeller, Byrd and Rahall said they have asked the president and FEMA to help direct federal aid into the region.

“Governor Manchin has determined that the damage from this storm is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments,” Rahall said.

Under a disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be sent into the counties hit by flooding.

“I have contacted President Obama and FEMA Regional Director John Sarubbi to express the severity of the flooding in southern West Virginia, urging immediate assistance and asking that he grant Governor Manchin’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration,” Rockefeller said.

Byrd said he stressed the importance and urgency in approving the federal disaster declaration with Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

“It is in these unfortunate circumstances when we see West Virginia pride at its best,” Byrd said. “From school children helping with clean-up to our exemplary National Guard and first responder personnel, we have witnessed such a generous outpouring of support from West Virginians all across our great state.”

Phyllis Sheets, manager of the Mercer and McDowell county office of the American Red Cross said some people who need assistance “are just now starting to come in.”

As of Wednesday, the Red Cross had four calls in Mercer County and approximately 90 in McDowell County, Sheets said.

“We’ve had a lot of requests for cleaning supplies,” she said. “And a lot of requests for food lost when freezers and refrigerators lost electricity.”

People who wish to contribute funds or cleaning supplies to the Red Cross effort can call 304-327-5017.