2001 – 2002 Floods

2001 – 2002 Floods. . , Within a ten month period, two devastating floods impacted McDowell County and its residents. The first major flood occurred on Sunday, July 8, 2001, after a series of heavy thunderstorms dropped over eight inches of rain. By early afternoon, the Elkhorn Creek, Tug Fork River, and their tributaries flooded leaving the towns of Kimball, Landgraff, Eckman, Welch, Keystone, and Norfolk under water, knocking houses off their foundations and leaving people homeless. On May 2, 2002, a second severe thunderstorm dropped over five inches of rain on McDowell County. Unlike the 2001 storm, this storm caused extensive damage to the entire county. , Roads, including U.S. Route 52, the main thoroughfare through the county, and bridges were closed due to high flood water and debris from landslides. Residents were left stranded and without power and telephone service. This storm caused damage to over 2,000 structures and destroyed 170 homes and businesses. Once again, McDowell County was declared a federal disaster area. , In the days that followed these floods, communities came together to help one another rebuild their lives. While some residents removed mud and debris from their homes and businesses, others decided not to rebuild and left the area. Local groups as well as the Salvation Army, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, National Guard and others assisted in the clean-up effort. They set up centers, provided shelter, and distributed food and water to residents affected by the floods. In the following years, many of the homes and buildings damaged by the flooding were removed.