Buchanan County will receive more than $200,000 in federal disaster assistance to repair or replace culverts damaged by severe winter storms and flooding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.
The funding will help cover the county’s recovery costs for damaged drainage infrastructure. It is part of more than $9 million FEMA approved for disaster recovery and projects intended to reduce future damage in Virginia and West Virginia.
FEMA’s announcement did not identify the locations of the Buchanan County culverts, how many need repairs or replacement, or a timetable for the work. It also did not specify which winter storms and flooding events caused the damage.
The county’s award comes through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which helps state and local governments recover from disasters. Eligible work includes repairs to public infrastructure and buildings, road restoration and reimbursement for emergency measures taken to protect public health and safety.
The latest announcement approved nearly $7.5 million in Public Assistance funding across Virginia.
That total includes more than $3.5 million for the Virginia Department of Transportation to cover emergency protective measures related to Hurricane Helene. VDOT will also receive more than $1 million for permanent repairs to gravel roads and culverts damaged by the hurricane.
FEMA identified Buchanan County’s culvert funding separately as assistance for damage caused by severe winter storms and flooding.
Along with the recovery awards, FEMA approved more than $2 million through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for projects in Virginia and West Virginia intended to prevent or reduce damage from future disasters.
Those awards include nearly $550,000 to update Virginia’s Richmond-Crater Multi-Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The update will help participating communities identify disaster risks and ways to reduce them, according to FEMA.
In West Virginia, nearly $450,000 was approved to acquire and demolish three flood-prone structures in Marion County. FEMA said removing the structures will reduce the potential for future loss of life and property.
The mitigation program also supports projects such as elevating buildings, improving drainage, upgrading utilities and infrastructure, and acquiring properties in areas vulnerable to repeated disasters.
FEMA said it works directly with states on mitigation projects and distributes recovery funding through state and local governments.
