Rahall, Byrd, Rockefeller Announce $2 Million for West Virginia Flood Repairs

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May 18, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) and Representative Nick J. Rahall, II (D-W.Va.) today announced $2,000,000 in funding from the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration for road repairs in southern West Virginia following severe flooding on May 9th, 2009.

"The Obama Administration approved the federal disaster declaration promptly, and I am pleased to see money beginning to move into Southern West Virginia just as quickly to make these necessary infrastructure improvements and help get the area back on its feet as quickly as possible," said Senator Byrd.

“I want to thank the President and the Department of Transportation for releasing much needed federal funds to repair West Virginia roads destroyed by extreme and devastating flooding,” said Senator Rockefeller. “Families are suffering and it will take a lot of work, resources, and dedication to fix the damage - we must do all we can to send aid to those in need immediately.”

“I am glad to be able to announce these funds to repair damaged roadways in the wake of the flooding a week ago,” Rahall added. “Aid must be delivered to those in need and these funds will help to ensure that necessary roadways are clear and in working order as soon as possible.”

Funding will be dispersed to the State Department of Transportation to be used for the repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failures from an external cause. These funds were awarded to the State after the President issued a formal emergency declaration on Friday, May 15, 2009. Eligible work includes emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic, minimize the extent of damage, or protect the remaining facilities as well as permanent repairs necessary to restore the highway to its pre-disaster condition.

Congressman Rahall has worked closely with Gov. Joe Manchin in the wake of the flooding that caused significant damage to Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh and Wyoming counties, touring affected areas on Sunday, May 9th, and joining Senators Byrd and Rockefeller in calling for swift action from the President to issue a Federal Disaster Declaration for the counties.

“Safe and reliable transportation is incredibly important in times of crisis. Thanks to the swift response of our local, county, state, and federal officials, and the help of many volunteers, the floods caused much damage, but lives were saved. Making sure that roads into and out of these areas are safe and passable will help to ensure that people are able to get the help that they need,” said Rahall.

Source: Senator Robert Byrd