A number of elected officials
gathered in an area of Logan County Monday to dedicate what they hope will be
the end of flooding in a past disaster zone on Island Creek. Mitigation work is
finished on an area from Mud Fork to Ellis Addition where for years residents
have worried when clouds gathered.
“When your home or businesses is
flooded, that’s your livelihood,” said Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. “We’ve watched
that for so many years and we’ve got the opportunity now when a heavy rainstorm
comes people can rest at night and they don’t have to worry like they did
before.”
Contractors under the guidance of
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Soil Conservation Service tackled the
area at the confluence of several creeks, including the most flood prone,
Island Creek and the Guyandotte
River
The project widened Island Creek
from 40 to 80 feet for a 3,600 foot section which ended at the confluence with
the Guyandotte. A giant sandbar was dredged out and replaced with a concrete
structure to hold off water. The project included the installation of a flood
warning system.
“This is going to repay itself many
times over,” said Third District Congressman Nick Rahall. “When people look to
move into an area, that’s what they look for. Are they going to be in a secure
and safe environment to raise their family or conduct their business?”
According to State Senator Art Kirkendoll the project already
prevented 7 floods after heavy rain even before the project was completed.
