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In the wake of the flood, Martin County rebuilds joy
When disaster strikes, it reveals the character of a community. In Martin County, the Tug Fork spilled its banks and forced families to flee by helicopter from riverfront homes. But when the muddy water receded, compassion rose. The flood that hit our county in February—cresting at 51.22 feet in Kermit, the highest in nearly 50…
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Federal assistance for damaged private roads, bridges in Kentucky and West Virginia
CITIZEN STAFF REPORT Residents of Kentucky and West Virginia whose private roads, bridges, or driveways were damaged by the severe storms and flooding in February may qualify for federal assistance to help with repairs or replacement from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to information on FEMA’s website, to qualify for FEMA assistance the…
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Flood debris dumpsters cost county $20K so far
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — The cost of clearing flood debris dominated discussion at a Martin County Fiscal Court special meeting Feb. 26. Magistrates approved payments totaling nearly $20,000 for roll-off dumpsters used in flood cleanup efforts in Lovely. The invoices submitted by Howell’s Recycling & Sanitation of Debord covered services Feb. 18,…
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Trapped by the flood: My survival and a community’s strength
BY BARBIANN MAYNARD Against all odds, I survived the historic flood that ravaged our area Feb. 16, 2025. Now it is time to share my experience. Let us back up a little. When I was 12 and my Leigh Ann Maynard was three, our mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 29.…
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FEMA opens disaster recovery center in Inez
INEZ — FEMA opened a disaster recovery center (DRC) in the former Martin County Library at 180 E Main Street in Inez. The hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. There is also a FEMA registration intake center March 5 and 8 at the Huntleyville…
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Flood destroys bridge, traps families on Mac Pinson Drive
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN INEZ — Four families in a Martin County neighborhood found themselves trapped last week after floodwaters undermined the only bridge connecting them to the main road. Officials condemned the structure, leaving residents of Mac Pinson Drive cut off from essential services. On Friday, Martin County Road & Bridge crews worked…
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Living through a disaster can be trying times
Living through the devastation of a flood like the Tug Valley went through a couple of weeks ago is very tough, both mentally and physically. Those affected have the psychological stress to go through when trying to evaluate the destruction. They have to figure out where to start. Cleaning up the mud and muck is…
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Tug Valley residents will rebound from recent flooding
There is no doubt the communities that make up the Tug Valley area in Mingo, Pike and Martin counties have had their share of disasters when it comes to flooding throughout the years. Most everyone with a few years on them remembers the historic 1977 flood, the worst flood on record, that literally changed the…
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Tug Valley athletic fields flooded again
BY KYLE LOVERN MOUNTAIN CITIZEN NAUGATUCK, W.Va. — The athletic fields at Tug Valley High School were once again inundated by floodwaters backing up from the Tug River. The muddy water completely covered the football, baseball and softball fields. This has happened in the past when flooding has occurred in that part of the county.…
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Tug Valley reels from major flood
BY ROGER SMITH MOUNTAIN CITIZEN MARTIN COUNTY — Homes submerged, roads washed away and families stranded—this was the scene across the Tug Valley after floodwaters surged through the region over the weekend, cutting off communities and leaving thousands without power. In Kermit, the Tug Fork River crested at 51.22 feet at 12:30 a.m. on Feb.…
Tag: Flood 2025
