LOGAN, W.Va. — 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.