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Follansbee Needs State Help, Too

Flooding in several counties in southeast West Virginia on June 23 was much, much worse than what happened in Follansbee a few weeks later. Twenty-three people died in the June 23 disaster. “Unbelievable” is a word heard often in regard to property damage.

Still, some people in Follansbee suffered substantial loss in the July 30 flood there. More than 200 homes, 30 businesses and four churches were affected.

So it may have come as an unpleasant surprise to local flood victims that Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s call for a special session of the Legislature to provide state flood recovery money was limited to the June 23 event.

Legislators quickly approved $85 million in state funding. Much more in federal aid is expected.

The good news is that lawmakers merely approved $85 million in funding to the governor’s Civil Contingent Fund. There was no stipulation as to where the money can be spent.

That means Tomblin himself has the authority to provide state aid to flood victims in Follansbee — and should do so.

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