EKB News

The National Weather Service and the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services currently monitor more than 100 rain gauges on waterways across the state. U.S. Senator Robert Byrd recently announced at least $1.5 million in federal funding, as part of a 75-25 match between the federal government and the state, to update the gauges with the goal of providing a better statewide flood warning system. The state will install the new gauges, while staff time counts toward the non-federal share. If all goes as planned, installing the gauges will begin this coming summer and should be complete in one to two years. Once the Flood Warning System is operating, the state will be required to maintain and replace gauges when necessary.