U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-WV, is urging President George Bush to act quickly on the State of West Virginia's request for a federal disaster declaration for Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties following the severe flooding that hit the region over the weekend.

Rahall, whose request echoes that of Gov. Manchin, witnessed first-hand the damage to the area on Sunday afternoon.

"Governor Manchin has determined that the damage from this storm is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the affected local governments," Rahall said. "West Virginians are committed to recovering from this disaster and need the available federal resources to quicken that recovery. I am urging the President to give immediate attention to this matter so that federal assistance can be made available as expeditiously as possible."

The recent storms produced heavy rains that resulted in widespread flooding, flash flooding, landslides and mudslides across southern West Virginia.

If the disaster request is approved by the President, public assistance would be coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and could include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools in Boone, Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.

In addition to calling for a federal disaster declaration for affected counties, U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall is again working to secure federal funding for the Island Creek Protection Project, requesting additional funding for the construction. Rahall has already helped secure more than $2 million for the design and implementation of the project.

The project, which includes the widening of the Island Creek channel and the implementation of a flood warning system, is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Logan County Commission is Island Creek's local sponsor.

The flood damage reduction project will consist of an 80-foot-wide channel and a flood warning system which will reduce the damages associated with flooding along the confluence of Island Creek, Copperas Mine Fork and Mud Fork. When the project is completed, 252 structures in the area will be provided some level of protection against a 20-year flood event.

Currently, the General Reevaluation Report is complete and awaiting approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters. The District has completed the Design Documentation Report and Plans and Specifications. The Flood Warning System design is being finalized.

Pending approval of the General Reevaluation Report and the availability of funding, the Channel Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the Corps and the Logan County Commission could be signed this June and real estate acquisition could begin at that time. The flood warning system PCA would be ready for execution by September with the WV Division of Homeland Security.

"The snow will melt, and the rain will fall, but flooding does not have to be a fact of life every year in southern West Virginia. In some places we have options to help prevent flooding. We just need to pursue them," Rahall said. "These additional federal funds will keep this important project moving forward, getting us that much closer to controlling future flood waters in Logan County."