CLAY, W.Va. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito on Monday announced an addition of $1,464,104 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which will go to complete repair of Clay County High School’s football facilities from the 2016 flood.
Clay County school officials noticed major problems with the football field after the 2016 season as underground drains had unknowingly backed up during the flood as the field began to collapse a few months later.
“The river back-washed into the drains and at the time we didn’t realize the severity of it,” said Clay County coach Jason Nicholas. “Then the drains started collapsing all around the field, causing sinkholes and washing away parts of the field.”
Principal Melinda Isaacs says the field had also been heavily damaged from under neath.
“There was so much water it damaged all of the drains. The riverbank began to slip causing the light fixtures to slide and they’re very noticeably leaning toward the river,” she said. “The foundation of the bleachers are also exposed.”
The money also includes funding to help with continuing development of the school’s new field house and may allow for additional room to be added. However, the work won’t be done in time for this fall.
“It will put new drainage in, re-sod the field and take care of the lighting that is leaning and shore up the bleachers,” she said. “It will also cover some of the electrical work in the press box that was damaged because it’s underground.”
“In terms of play this fall, we have reseeded the field and have grass growing. It will be play-ready this fall on the current field,” Isaacs explained. “The FEMA money will secure the upgrades needed based on the flood. That project with start once this season is complete.
The Panthers are scheduled to open up the 2017 season away from home against Gilmer County on August 25.