ELKVIEW, W.Va. — The second of two public forums on the June 23 flooding in Kanawha County hosted by state House Speaker Tim Armstead was held Friday evening in Elkview.
Friday night’s meeting at Elkview Baptist Church had less of a crowd and a calmer tone than Thursday night’s forum at the Clendenin Fire Department building, but still had many frustrated residents looking for answers for either themselves or their loved ones.
“FEMA has been more of a handicap than they’ve been a help,” lamented David Lucas, who said his sister was impacted by the flood. “They’ve allowed people to think they’re going to help, and then they come up and kind of pull the rug out from under ’em.”
Complaints about FEMA were a common theme for many the past couple nights, with many residents frustrated that they’ve not reimbursed enough, or at all.
“I have a lot of questions that I need answered,” said Kathy Estep, who lost her entire home in Clay. “We’re getting the runaround from our insurance companies and FEMA and it seems like no one has any definite answers.”
Those who have stepped up to the plate to help in the wake of the flood have been incredible, Lucas said.
“The volunteers, churches and different organizations that’s helped has been amazing. The federal government has dragged its feet on everything.”
David Townsend, of the Pinch area, said he hadn’t been affected by the flood personally but had many friends who were, and that he was inspired by the relief effort.
“The devastation has been overwhelming, but I believe that’s been offset by the outpouring of love and involvement from the community; the donations has been tremendous,” he said. “That’s comforting and encouraging to know as an American, as a human being to see people coming together like that.”
As was the format Thursday night, Armstead, State Adjutant General James Hoyer and Homeland Security Director Jimmy Gianato sat on a panel and answered questions.
“I’m not complaining,” Estep added about FEMA. “I just realize it’s a bureucratic process and would like to have definitive answers.”
FEMA payments for destroyed homes are capped at $33,000, regardless of the property’s value, and does not reimburse for second home or business damage.
Armstead said after Thursday night’s Clendenin meeting that he expected a special legislative session in August or September to discuss how much state Rainy Day Fund money would be allocated to flood relief.