This resolution commemorates the tenth anniversary of the 2016 West Virginia floods, honoring the lives lost and recognizing the resilience of the communities that rebuilt in the aftermath.
Jim Justice
Senator
WV
This resolution commemorates the tenth anniversary of the catastrophic June 2016 West Virginia floods, which resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction across the state. It honors the memory of those who lost their lives and recognizes the heroic efforts of first responders and neighbors. Furthermore, the bill celebrates the resilience and strength demonstrated by West Virginia communities in their ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts.
West Virginia Marks 10-Year Anniversary of 2016 Floods with Formal Resolution Honoring Resilience and Loss
This resolution marks a decade since the 'thousand-year' rainfall event on June 23, 2016, that forever changed the landscape of West Virginia. It isn't a new law or a spending bill; instead, it is a formal recognition of the 23 lives lost and the $1.2 billion in damage that occurred when severe thunderstorms triggered catastrophic flash flooding. By documenting the state of emergency that spanned 44 of the state’s 55 counties and the subsequent federal disaster declaration under the Stafford Act, the resolution ensures that the scale of the tragedy—which left 500,000 people without power and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses—remains a matter of official record.
A Record of the Storm
The resolution details the sheer intensity of the 2016 disaster to ensure the history isn't lost to time. It cites the specific destruction of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and schools that serve as the backbone for local workers and families. For the residents of submerged towns who had to rebuild from the mud up, this document serves as a formal acknowledgment of that struggle. It explicitly recognizes the first responders and the 'neighbor-helping-neighbor' spirit that defined the immediate aftermath, highlighting the specific resilience required to recover from a disaster of this magnitude.
Why This Matters Now
While this resolution doesn't allocate new recovery funds, it serves as a legislative 'moment of silence' and a benchmark for the state’s progress over the last ten years. For the small business owners who reopened their doors and the families who moved back into rebuilt homes, the text validates the long-term effort of community restoration. By formalizing the anniversary, the resolution keeps the focus on disaster preparedness and the ongoing strength of the communities that were forced to start over a decade ago.