McDowell County leaders are turning attention back to the February floods that left families stranded and homes destroyed, announcing a public meeting next month on hazard mitigation and flood buyouts. The session is set for Wednesday, October 8 at 4:00 p.m. at the McDowell County Commission Armory in Welch. The announcement, first posted by the county commission on September 15 and reported the same day by WOAY, marks a step toward addressing the county’s long-term vulnerability.

McDowell is considered West Virginia’s most flood-prone county, with more than a quarter of residents living in high-risk zones along rivers like the Tug Fork.

When floodwaters surged in February 2025, dozens of neighborhoods were cut off, underscoring the scale of the threat. The October meeting will focus on hazard mitigation strategies, including potential FEMA-funded buyouts of homes located in areas repeatedly hit by flooding. Such programs move families out of danger while repurposing flood-prone land for safer uses, reducing strain on emergency services during future storms.

For McDowell, where poverty rates remain above 30 percent and coal job losses continue to weigh heavily on household incomes, the option of a federally supported buyout could mean both safety and financial relief. The push carries significant economic implications.

Displaced residents may be eligible for FEMA compensation, helping them rebuild lives away from floodplains. Meanwhile, communities gain opportunities to reimagine and redevelop land no longer safe for housing. Officials and advocates argue that hazard mitigation is not just a matter of disaster response, but of long-term resilience. Still, questions remain.

The commission’s post confirmed the meeting date and agenda but did not identify which commissioners will lead the discussion. Nor is it clear how many residents are open to relocation, or how the costs and benefits of a buyout program would compare to rebuilding in place. These details are expected to surface as the county gathers input from families directly affected. For now, the October 8 meeting offers the public its first formal opportunity to weigh in since the February disaster.

The Armory—likely located at 90 Wyoming Street in Welch, though final confirmation is pending—will serve as the venue for what could be a pivotal conversation about McDowell’s future along the Tug Fork. As autumn rains approach, the stakes are high. Hazard mitigation may not erase the scars of past floods, but it could shape how McDowell weathers the next one.