[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H773-H774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WEST VIRGINIA HARD HIT BY FLOOD WATERS

  (Mr. WISE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, let me report that as the flood waters are 
receding, mercifully, in West Virginia, we have many areas that have 
been hard hit: Sisterville, Clendenin, the counties Calhoun and Wirt, 
Mason, Braxton, Gilmer, Roane and Putnam all have suffered 
unprecedented flood damage.
  Of course, Governor Underwood, the volunteers, the emergency 
services, the

[[Page H774]]

National Guard, all have done an incredible job in this first stage of 
flood recovery.
  Now comes the second stage, Mr. Speaker, because shortly the Federal 
disaster declaration will be made. At that time there will be a toll-
free number for all residents in West Virginia to call the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, and there they can apply for housing 
assistance, small business loans, unemployment assistance, crisis 
counseling, and a range of other assistance.
  Working with the Governor, Mr. Speaker, and the FEMA staff, my staff 
and I will be fanning out across the State as soon as this disaster 
declaration is made to work with local officials and to work with 
residents and to get the information out about how to get that 
assistance.
  The first stage, Mr. Speaker, of this flood recovery is coming to an 
end, and that is basically to preserve life, health, and property. And 
now we begin the second stage. And as we do, all West Virginians should 
know that with the Federal disaster declaration that will be coming 
shortly, they will not be left alone. The second stage begins and so 
does our recovery.

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