Published: August 06, 2009 10:41 pm      

145 gather to learn about possible flood buyouts

Dunloup Creek Watershed

An estimated 145 people gathered at the state National Guard Armory in Glen Jean Thursday night — all possibly facing the agonizing decision of whether to take government money and leave their homes or risk yet another catastrophic flood.

The residents gathered to find out more about a proposed federal government buyout that could ultimately cost $14 million and affect 290 properties in the flood-prone Dunloup Creek Watershed area. The watershed includes communities in Fayette and Raleigh counties such as Kilsyth, Harvey, Red Star, Glen Jean and parts of Mount Hope.

The Dunloup Creek region has been under constant threat since the devastating 2001 floods in southern West Virginia.

Steve Cruikshank, Fayette County emergency services director, recalled the devastation eight years ago and how the county sustained flash flooding just this past weekend.

“We had three floods — three 100-year floods in one month,” he said of 2001.

“...We tend to forget as we go along, and we don’t like to remember. ... But remember, it can happen again, and it probably will. I hope it doesn’t, but you know how things go.”

The plan was hammered out between the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the locally-based Dunloup Creek Watershed Association.

Pamela L. Yost, an economist from the NRCS technology team, said those affected could receive the appraised value of their homes, plus up to $30,000. For those who have other types of properties, such as businesses, various different formulas would be used.

Renters whose landlord accepts a buyout offer could receive about $5,000, Yost said.

If all affected residents agreed to the buyout, it could cost $14 million. But Yost and Greg Stone, NRCS assistant state conservationist for field operations, emphasized the number of buyouts will ultimately depend on how much funding they actually receive. Their agency only has $1.146 million from U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd’s (D-W.Va.) efforts. Byrd’s office announced Wednesday that the buyout program is in line for another $1.5 million, but Stone noted that money is “not in the bank account” yet.

Yost emphasized the program is entirely voluntary and residents can apply, and even receive an offer, without fear. They would only commit to buyouts if they decided to take offers. The application deadline is Sept. 1. In October, surveying should commence, followed by assessments and review assessments. The process will be a long one, with any offers probably not arriving until the beginning of next year.

The residents’ applications will be scored with two main factors, according to Yost. The first is whether or not the property is their primary residence. The second depends on the potential depth of floodwater on the residence’s first floor. Those with the highest scores will receive buyout offers first.

One of the residents’ main concerns was how much time they will have to find another home and move out. Yost noted the time it would take before an offer even arrived. Once an offer was made, she said residents have 30 days to decide whether or not to accept it.

If the offer is accepted, the residents would have another 30 days to move out, Yost said. There are no restrictions as to where they could move, but they are strongly encouraged not to move into another flood-prone area.

Another major issue was personal finances. The residents said homes outside floodplains are not cheap, and they were not thrilled with the idea of more debt. One man said his house was nearly paid off.

Numerous unique circumstances for certain people were brought up, and Yost said the NRCS will have to have many resolved by attorneys.

Yost said structures on bought-out properties will be torn down. Homes that are neither mobile nor modular, most likely, cannot be moved. This left a female resident of a historic home with a major dilemma.

“To see a dozer come in...” she sighed. “But I don’t like seeing the water coming up every time it rains.”

Stone said applications are available from Mount Hope City Hall, the Dunloup Creek Watershed Association or the NRCS office at 463 Ragland Road in Beckley. Those with more questions or who want an application mailed to them can call Missy Blankenship from the state Conservation Agency or Lori Redden from the NRCS at 304-255-9225 ext. 138.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com