MILTON, W.Va. — State leaders and high ranking officials with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gathered in the Cabell County city of Milton Monday to take the next significant step toward future flood mitigation in the city. Milton, which lies along the banks of the Mud River, has been flooded repeatedly through the years. The most significant flood may have been in 1997 when even the venue where the agreement was signed was hit by flood water. The old Milton Elementary School, which is now a community recreation center, has seen its share of muddy water.
“It’s interesting to me we are standing here in the place which was impacted by a flood. Our feet are on a place that was flooded and this project, when it comes to fruition is going to prevent that in the future for this community,” said Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
The signing of the amendment to the Lower Mud River flood control project partnership by the state of West Virginia, city of Milton, and the Army Corps of Engineers allows for the continuation of the work to implement the project.
“Corps projects are huge and have to be done right. We’ve seen a lot of flooding here in Milton and we don’t want to see any more of the destruction of property and lives lost so we want to do it right,” said U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito.
Capito has secured $287 Million dollar for the project. She was successful in securing a $190 Million grant in 2023 and was able to secure an increased federal cost share of 90 percent of the project in the 2022 Water Resources Development Act.
Also on hand for the event was Major General Jason Kelley, Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works and Emergency Operations fo the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“Quite frankly today is just the kickoff. The work now is to make sure we get the engineering right, the project management right, and to make sure we get the right team work on this and I’m committed to making sure that happens,” said Kelley.
“The Corps has engineered this project and designed it so that it will prevent a one in 250 year flood,” Capito added.
Governor Patrick Morrisey was on hand to sign the state’s agreement to the project.
“Through a strong partnership between local, state, and federal leaders, we are able to move forward with this long-awaited project for the City of Milton,” said Morrisey. “When mother nature strikes, we have to be ready. Putting our focus into projects like this one will help us mitigate damage, protect local communities, and save lives.”