City of Wheeling expects millions of dollars in FEMA funding following April floods

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) – The City of Wheeling was hit hard by the April flooding, with Wheeling Island being nearly underwater.

The wastewater treatment plant also sustained damage to the gate that controls water flow, resulting in damage to the pumps at the plant.

Wheeling City Council had installed a sewer rover to hopefully gain insight into how to repair these damages, but due to the raging flooded water at the time, the rover was never recovered.

Council approved over $15,000 to replace that rover, which will eventually be reimbursed by FEMA funding that the city submitted for and has been accepted.

”It’s going to be very, very helpful not only for the wastewater treatment plant, but we will be reimbursed for overtime and material expenses associated with operations, hauling all the debris away, overtime for police and fire, and sanitation costs. So, it’s you know, it’s going to be in the several million dollars range as a result of President Biden declaring it a federal disaster.”

Robert Herron – City Manager, City of Wheeling

This FEMA declaration will enable the City of Wheeling to be reimbursed for all the expenses associated with not only cleanup on the Island and South Wheeling, but also at the wastewater treatment plant.

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