Monday marks one year since devastating winter flooding struck southern West Virginia, severely impacting communities along the Tug River and nearby tributaries.
Flash flooding swept through the southern Coalfields overnight from Feb. 15 into Feb. 16. Rising waters, strong winds, landslides and mudslides caused widespread destruction to homes and property.
McDowell, Mingo and Logan counties suffered some of the worst damage, with dozens of roads shutting down and hundreds of buildings sustaining damage.
In McDowell County, three people lost their lives after a truck was swept into the Tug River.
Freezing temperatures and snowfall followed the heavy rain, further hindering recovery efforts and forcing school closures.
Several counties in West Virginia received federal assistance, and thousands of flood victims sought aid. Officials estimated the total impact at around $40 million.
Last week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey introduced plans to move forward with a statewide flood warning initiative.
The Smart Environmental Notification Threat Response System, a proposed three-year pilot program with a $10 million budget, aims to strengthen flood forecasting and emergency response efforts.
Lawmakers must still approve the proposal as the Legislature moves into the second half of the 2026 regular session.