Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today announced the award of a $1,173,600 grant to the Village of Valley View from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prevent damage from flooding of the Cuyahoga River.

“This is good for homeowners and good for the community. A small investment now can save Valley View from the devastating economic effects of further flooding,” remarked Kucinich.

The grant was awarded as part of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. The FEMA grant will provide seventy-five percent of the $1.6 million necessary to elevate residential structures. The remaining $391,200 will be provided by property owners.

Kucinich has been a determined champion of flood prevention in Northeast Ohio.  Since the flood disaster of 2006, Congressman Kucinich has worked with FEMA, the Small Business Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County and the affected residents and community leaders to provide federal assistance to mitigate the damage from flooding.  

“An on-going Section 205 Flood Control Study, which we requested, is underway for Valley View and Independence through the Army Corps of Engineers to resolve some of the causes of the flooding,” said Kucinich.  “This grant from FEMA will enable residents of Valley View to have a better quality of life in the event of future floods.”