A Lewis County middle school is getting a $400,000 advance from the state so they can get students back to school.
Lewis County was one of the hardest hit in the July 21 storms that flooded central West Virginia. Robert L. Bland Middle School, in Weston, sustained significant structural damage during the flooding and cannot safely reopen for in-person learning.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Monday he is advancing the money from the Civil Contingent Fund to help Lewis County Schools temporarily relocate Robert L. Bland Middle to WVU Jackson’s Mill, also near Weston. The temporary location will allow approximately 400 students to resume in-person learning after Labor Day.
A statement from the governor’s office said the state expects the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse the state for the expense. Both Lewis and Upshur counties were approved for major disaster declarations on Aug. 4.
Since July 21, approximately 1,000 state personnel have directly supported flood response operations. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources conducted 86 water rescues, in addition to rescues performed by local volunteer fire departments and first responders.
The West Virginia National Guard removed approximately 18,000 tons of debris in the region, while the Division of Highways has removed another 150,580 tons.
FEMA Individual Assistance has been approved for Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties. As of last week, 782 residents had registered for assistance, and more than $3.1 million had been approved.
Requests for additional federal assistance remain under review.
Morrisey extended the State of Emergency through Sept. 19 in 12 counties where recovery operations remain ongoing: Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pendleton, Pleasants, Randolph, Ritchie, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel.
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