West Virginia County Starts Next Phase of Flood Project

An ongoing flood mitigation project in Wood County, W.Va., is entering its next phase.

The county plans to buy and demolish three homes in Happy Valley. After the demolitions, no permanent structures can be built on the properties.

The Parkersburg News and Sentinel reports that the County Commission has approved an appraiser and an attorney for the project.

The county received a $710,750 federal grant for the project’s fifth phase. The money will be used to buy and demolish the homes.

If the appraisals are higher than expected, Fred Rader with the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council says there might not be enough grant money to buy all three properties. The county would have to decide which of the properties to pursue.