Latest news with #SydneiTatum


CBS News
26-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
In flood-ravaged West Virginia community, neighbors are the ones leading recovery
West Virginia community relies on its own to recover after catastrophic flood Photographer Sydnei Tatum can't shake the images she saw and captured in the aftermath of floods that devastated McDowell County in West Virginia. "I mean, really, it looked like a third world country. There was mud everywhere," Tatum said. "Things that should be in a home were hanging in the trees. That's hard to see." Tatum is more used to shooting weddings and family portraits, but when the floods came in February, she started driving the long trip to chronicle the trauma the water left behind. She quickly put down her camera and picked up hauling supplies, removing debris and digging the mud out of buildings alongside the people who live there. Four months later, she's still among those helping pick up the pieces. The remote Appalachian county, which is one of the poorest in the nation, is struggling to recover. But long before the floods tore through, the coal country community was hemorrhaging people and jobs, with a decimated downtown and more than triple the national poverty rate, according to U.S. Census data. People in the community aren't accustomed to getting outside help, so they turn to neighbors and good Samaritans to bridge the gap. "It seems like they wear this as a badge of honor," Tatum said. Roberto Diaz's restaurant is one of the precious few left in downtown Welch, West Virginia, but the floods caused serious damage. The water came up from the floorboards and poured in through the doors, filling up the basement with nearly 12 feet of water. Most of the items inside had to be thrown away, Diaz said. He likely won't re-open for months, but the kitchen still worked, so he kept cooking, making more than 50,000 meals free for anyone in need. Diaz didn't stop at food, spending what little spare time he had out helping repairing and rebuilding people's homes. "During the beginning of the was so many places out of power, out of water," Diaz said. The food deliveries continue, along with the work to convince folks to stay in a place that's already lost more than 80% of its population since 1950, according to U.S. Census data. "That was my plea. Just to like, don't leave, let us know how we can help you to get back in your home — even if it's just food," Diaz said. About $12 million of federal relief has trickled in. While the money helps, Tatum sees it as a drop in a mud-caked bucket. "I'm just trying to scream from the mountaintops right now. Please look at McDowell County. They need help. Don't forget these people, because they are hard workers. They are good people," Tatum said.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Artists uniting in Morgantown to raise money for West Virginia flood victims
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — In February earlier this year, severe flood waters washed through 13 counties in southern West Virginia, killing three in the state and causing widespread damage in West Virginia, Kentucky and Virginia. Although that flooding is now three months past, many residents are still looking for the aid they need to get back on their feet. To help with that, 123 Pleasant Street and 100 Days in Appalachia will be hosting a collection of photographers, poets and musicians on Wednesday to raise money and supplies for flood victims in southern West Virginia at the 'Find Me Here Forever' fundraiser in Morgantown. When: May 21 at 7 p.m. Where: 123 Pleasant Street in Morgantown, The event will prominently feature a gallery from Appalachian photographer Sydnei Tatum, who has spent recent months photographing the aftermath of the floods in southern West Virginia and the surrounding area. 'Hell or High Water: Three Weeks After The Flood,' a documentary focusing on the flood and how it impacted residents, will also be shown during the event. West Virginia residents protest proposed 25% Hope Gas rate hike Although admission is free, any donations of money or relief supplies will get you a CD copy of the 'Find Me Here Forever' flood relief album. The album is comprised of 11 tracks written and performed by Appalachian artists and recorded live at 123 Pleasant Street. For a list of requested donation items or for details on how you can volunteer to help flood victims, you can view the post for the event on Instagram. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FEMA's refusal to help some West Virginia counties just a taste of what's to come
Trash sits on the roadside in McDowell County on April 21, 2025, after the flooding. (Sydnei Tatum for West Virginia Watch) Last week, West Virginia Watch reporter Amelia Ferrell Knisely traveled to McDowell County to talk to residents about recovery efforts after the mid-February floods. She found that many people still have soggy carpets and wet basements after more than two months. Houses are filled with mold. Trash is piled up outside. Some residents say they haven't seen anyone from the state or federal government in their small towns offering help. And McDowell is one of the few counties that actually received federal funding for flood response. In late February, the federal government approved Gov. Patrick Morrisey's request for federal aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far approved nearly 3,500 applications for individual assistance, and more than $25 million has been awarded to residents in Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Raleigh, Wayne and Wyoming counties. Residents who receive that money can use it to cover the costs of temporary housing and home repairs. About 94% of West Virginia communities are considered 'Special Flood Hazard Areas,' which means the more than 84,000 structures in those areas are at a high risk of flooding, according to a 2023 report by researchers at West Virginia University. However, President Donald Trump has suggested that FEMA, which is the only agency currently that administers disaster relief funds, might 'go away.' Last week it was announced that Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency would cut 1,000 employees — or 20% of the workforce — from FEMA, just ahead of hurricane season. On Wednesday, Morrisey announced that FEMA denied individual assistance grants to Boone, Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe and Summers counties, and public assistance grants in Cabell and Kanawha counties for the February floods. 'Despite today's notification, I am grateful to the Trump Administration for their strong support for Southern West Virginia's recovery following the February floods,' Morrisey said in a statement. We know you're not a native West Virginian, governor, but please stand up for your adopted state. Alex Brown from Stateline, one of West Virginia Watch's sister newsrooms, reached out to the White House about states being denied FEMA funding, and received a statement that said the agency is focused on 'truly catastrophic disasters,' and that states need to have a better 'appetite to own the problem.' West Virginia has no appetite, as shown during the legislative session. On April 4, about three weeks after the devastating February floods, Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, proposed adding $50 million to the state budget for flood prevention. 'We have the ability to do something earthly,' Hornbuckle said. 'The power that we have — not just the divine power — but with a button and a pen that we all have to help out neighbors in the great state of West Virginia.' The amendment was rejected 75-19. Remember the 2016 floods — the deadliest in the state's history? Former Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, a Democrat born in Logan County, declared a state of emergency for 44 of the state's 55 counties. Since November 2019, FEMA has given West Virginia more than $424 million in funding in response to the 2016 floods. More than $42 million was given to 4,949 individuals and families, and more than $172.8 million was given to local and state governments and some nonprofits. FEMA also provided more than $209.8 million to replace Herbert Hoover High, Richwood Middle, Richwood High, Summersville Middle and to relocate Clendenin Elementary. Herbert Hoover High School was destroyed, and students were taught in portable classrooms until their new school was completed in fall 2023. Clendenin Elementary School didn't reopen until fall 2024. Construction hasn't started on the schools destroyed in Nicholas County. In response to that flood, the West Virginia Legislature created the State Resiliency Office. Its purpose is to 'Minimize the loss of life and property, maintain economic stability, and improve recovery time by coordinating with stakeholders to implement disaster resilient strategies. The state Legislature created the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund in 2023 with Senate Bill 677. The fund sits empty. No money was allocated to that fund during the 2024 legislative session. The FY 2026 budget, which Morrisey has signed, doesn't include any money for the fund either. There were only three bills related to flooding during the session — House Bill 2858 and Senate Bill 502 were the same bill, meant to allow counties to regulate floodplains under National Flood Insurance Program guidelines. They both died. House Bill 3502, sponsored by Hornbuckle, would have allowed a one-time allocation of $100 million from the state revenue shortfall fund and $150 million from the state's income tax revenue fund for the West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. It died in the House Government Organization. West Virginia needs FEMA, but with FEMA potentially out of the picture, it's time the state whet its appetite and take a bite out of the problem. Morrisey has already said he plans to call a special session this summer to deal with the Public Employees Insurance Agency and education funding. Sounds like the perfect time and a good use of tax payer money to move some funding over to the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX