U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore-Capito (R-W.Va.) have released statements ahead of the eighth anniversary of the deadly 2016 West Virginia floods.
23 people were killed on June 23, 2016, in the floods in four counties including Ohio, Jackson, Kanawha & Greenbrier.
The floods effected communities in Greenbrier, Summers, Monroe, Pocahontas, Fayette, Clay, Nicholas and many others.
“Every June 23rd, our hearts are heavy with the memory of the precious lives lost in the floods that ravaged southern West Virginia eight years ago. Gayle and I continue to pray for the families whose lives were forever changed by the loss of a loved one. While I am proud to have secured over $256 million above and beyond normal federal disaster funding to rebuild and make our communities more resilient to extreme weather, no amount of funding can replace what was lost that day. In the aftermath of the flood, West Virginians showed our true colors by coming together—as only we can—to support one another. It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent such a strong, resilient state with amazing people who care for their communities and fellow West Virginians so deeply.”
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
“The 2016 floods impacted thousands of West Virginians, took 23 precious lives, destroyed schools, forced businesses to close, and left many families without homes. Eight years later, we continue to rebuild together. Out of this tragedy, we saw our West Virginia spirit come alive, and people from every corner of our state rushed to impacted areas to lend a helping hand. That is what West Virginia is all about, and that is what separates our state from anywhere else in the world. I ask that West Virginians keep this spirit alive and continue to display the compassion and resiliency that defines us.”
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore-Capito