In July 2001 McDowell County experienced some of the worst flooding in recent memory.  Almost immediately the McDowell County Ministerial Association set to work trying to meet needs.

From that initial effort the McDowell County long Term Flood Recovery Task Force emerged.  It continues today to help flood victims recover from the flooding.  It is made up of people from the county who can provide goods and services to those who are in need.  Some of the members of the task force were themselves victims of the flooding.

What We Do

The flood task force seeks out people in need of assistance with flood recovery and provides needs assessment services.  It also seeks to help people return to a normal life, to repair flood damage and to get on with their lives.

The task force meets needs that still remain after FEMA and private insurance companies have rendered their assistance.  All needs addressed by the task force must be directly related to the July 2001 and May 2002 flooding.

How We Work

When a need comes to the attention of the task force's two coordinators, a needs assessment form is completed.  The information is given to a case manager who will consult with the flood victim to determine if  he or she is eligible to receive assistance.  The committee has established income eligibility guidelines.

The case manager will ask for a FEMA number and other information in order to determine eligibility.  The case manager may work directly for the task force or for an agency that is a member of the task force.

An estimator will visit the home to determine the extent of damage, the cost of repair and the materials needed to return the home to its pre-flood condition.

What Then?

You will be notified by a case worker or one of the coordinators if your home repair work will be done by the task force and what efforts you may need to make to expedite that work.  The work will be scheduled and completed by an agency that is a member of the task force.

Who to Contact

When you call the task force office, ask for:
Janet Monti or Christine Hatfield, flood recovery coordinators

Donations

Your monetary contributions to the Flood Recovery Task Force support the purchase of  supplies needed at the time repair work is approved AND give an economic boost to local businesses. Checks should be made payable to McDowell County Long Term Flood Recovery Task Force and mailed to 145 Stewart Street, Welch, WV  24801.  Volunteer work groups with some skills in rebuilding are also welcome.

Member Agencies:

FACES
The McDowell Mission
Mustard Seeds and Mountains
Highland Educational Project
The West Virginia Conference, The United Methodist Church
The West Virginia Presbytery, The Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
United Way
The Red Cross
The West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service
Mennonite Disaster Services
SAFE
Habitat for Humanity
The Council of the Southern Mountains
McDowell County Redevelopment Authority
Project Recovery
The Salvation Army

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