US Senator Capito tours flood recovery efforts in Welch

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito meets with local leaders in Welch on Monday, April 14, 2025.

WELCH On Monday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito traveled to Welch, West Virginia with a focus on ongoing flood recovery efforts and infrastructure upgrades.

Senator Capito met with Welch Mayor Harold McBride to discuss a number of topics, including a bridge infrastructure project. The Senator also traveled to the McDowell County 911 Center and Sheriff’s Office to discuss damage caused by the recent storms and ongoing recovery. The visit concluded at the Welch Armory where Senator Capito met with local officials and agencies where they discussed recovery efforts that are already underway, as well as the community’s infrastructure needs.

“The recent flooding in southern West Virginia was devastating, and it continues to impact the way businesses and the local economy function today,” Senator Capito said. “I am grateful to Mayor McBride and other local leaders in Welch for the opportunity to tour recovery efforts and discuss with them directly the needs they have. While we’ve made progress in rebuilding efforts, we still have more work to do, and I am committed to doing what I can to help in this effort.”

Following the storms the weekend of Valentine’s Day, Senator Capito led the West Virginia Delegation in sending a letter to President Trump in support of the state’s request for a major disaster declaration. Read the letter here.

President Trump approved Individual Assistance (IA) in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming counties on February 26th. The IA Program provides funds to individuals experiencing significant damage to homes or property. The deadline to apply for these funds is April 28th.

In March, President Trump next approved Public Assistance (PA) in Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. The President’s Major Disaster Declaration was amended April first to include PA for Boone and Raleigh counties, as well as IA for Raleigh County. The PA provides supplemental grants to state and local governments and certain private non-profits to cover their costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and infrastructure restoration. The deadline to apply for these funds for Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming counties is April 18th, while the deadline for Raleigh and Boone counties is May 1st.

PHOTO | Capito's Office