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Narrator: The recovery program ensures that individuals and communities affected by
disasters of all sizes are able to return to their normal function with minimal suffering and
disruption of services through cooperation and coordination with our federal and state
partners, as well as the private sector and non-profit organizations.
Due to the early May storm; approximately 141 disaster survivors and families in West
Virginia were declared eligible for temporary housing unit assistance.
If no fixed apartments or other rentable properties are available. Temporary housing
units may be needed. When requested by the state, FEMA will provide a range of options for
temporary housing units. Temporary housing can be located on an
eligible family’s private property, on a pre- existing commercial pad, or as a last resort,
on a new community site approved by local officials and constructed and maintained by
FEMA. Like parks manor, R.A. West, and Willis court
are located in Mingo county. Housing units are also located on private sites throughout the
disaster area. Lizzard creek park in Wyoming county, the
last temporary housing site to be developed, is an ideal location for a large community in a
remote area. Construction crews and contractors worked
vigorously to complete the development site in a timely manner.
A concerted effort was made to develop the site by the august deadline. From excavating
land to pulling and setting up units to installing and developing a water and sewer system,
the project is on schedule in spite of weather conditions.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency held a grand opening for its 4th mobile home
group site. The group site will house 41 families at the
Lizzard creek park in western Wyoming county.
Development of the site began 40 days and will be home for up to 18 months for the
survivors. The U.S. Army corps of engineers played a major role in construction.
Many local and county officials participated along with state senator Richard Browning,
delegates Harry Keith White, Linda Phillips and Daniel Hall.
The Wyoming county commission was lead by commission president, Silas Mullins.
Gilbert Mayor, Vivian Livingood, noted that Gilbert in Mingo county and its Harless
community center became the prime location for distribution of recovery supplies,
including water and meals.
Vivian Livingood, Gilbert Mayor: Gilbert was a supply, handout center and you had it here in
Wyoming County. And the thing that was so amazing is everybody had a heart
and they worked together.
A ribbon was cut by Senator Browning and FEMA federal coordinating officer, Greg
Easton with the director--the West Virginia division of homeland security and emergency
management, Jimmie Gianato. Eaton also read a letter from U.S. Senator Jay
Rockefeller thanking FEMA, state and county officials for providing safe housing for the
flood survivors. After the grand opening, families and officials
toured several mobile units for a first hand look at their new home.