McDowell County Commission President Michael Brooks sounded both exhausted and in despair when he appeared on MetroNews Talkline Tuesday. Rightfully so. He and the citizens of McDowell County are once again trying to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of yet another devastating flood. For many, this is not the first time they’ve faced such destruction. Times are hard, days are long, and hope is wearing thin.

During his interview, Brooks outlined the overwhelming challenges. Residents are still mucking out homes, rebuilding washed-out bridges – a costly endeavor – and cleaning up communities across the county. A critical shortage of volunteers has only added to the burden, making already daunting tasks feel nearly impossible.

But even before the first raindrop fell two months ago, McDowell County was already behind the eight ball.

The county is among the poorest in West Virginia. According to U.S. Census data, the median household income in McDowell County is just under $30,000, well below the state median of nearly $56,000. More than 30 percent of the population lives in poverty. The unemployment rate exceeds 24 percent. The statistics only worsen from there.

Brooks made no effort to hide his frustration. He’s tired of inaction. His community needs help, and they need it now. Critical flood mitigation work, such as dredging streams, remains stalled by regulatory red tape. Environmental protections for minor aquatic species, like crawdads, have, in his view, become a convenient excuse that blocks the work needed to protect human lives and property.

In short, Brooks is crying out for help on behalf of his people, hoping someone will finally listen.

Can anything be done? Yes, but each option comes with challenges.

“Upon the creation of the fund, the Legislature is authorized and may make an appropriation from the Revenue Shortfall Reserve Fund for revenue shortfalls, for emergency revenue needs caused by acts of God or natural disasters, or for other fiscal needs as determined solely by the Legislature.”

The state has tapped this fund before. As Henry Culvyhouse of Mountain State Spotlight reported , “The West Virginia Legislature spent millions of dollars on flood relief in 1996. Twenty years later, they would use it again for the flood of 2016. As of 2023, about $225 million has been used on floods, snow removal, droughts, and infrastructure assistance.”

The question is whether the state can do it again. With escalating PEIA costs, uncertainty surrounding federal Medicaid contributions (despite assurances), and increasing financial pressure from the state’s child welfare crisis and other budget demands, helping McDowell County – however deserving – may prove politically and practically difficult.

West Virginia supported Donald Trump like no other state, giving him nearly 70 percent of the vote in 2024 and more than 68 percent in 2022. Given Senator Capito’s seniority in the U.S. Senate and Senator Justice’s close relationship with Trump, it’s not far-fetched to think their influence could help secure federal dollars for McDowell County.

But challenges remain. McDowell hasn’t received the same national media attention as disasters in California or North Carolina. Without that visibility, urgency among federal officials may be lacking. Add in today’s strained federal budget and shifting geopolitical priorities alongside a potential trade war, and those dollars may be harder to come by.

Absent the resources to repeatedly rebuild and mitigate future disasters, perhaps the boldest – and most controversial – option is to create something new. That means reimagining a centralized community in McDowell County, one protected from flooding, one with adequate population density that could support economic revitalization, and one where families are no longer spread thin across isolated hollows and flood-prone valleys.

It won’t be easy. The emotional weight of leaving family land, homes, and memories behind is real. But so is the promise of a safer, more viable future. Consolidated communities could enable infrastructure improvements, offer better public services, and provide a real shot at attracting new business and economic activity.

Note: This option is not presented lightly or without affection for those in McDowell County. However, it must be discussed and considered for the greater good.

Ideation will only go so far. People are hurting today. Finding solutions will take leaders willing to ask hard but honest questions and make tough, practical decisions. If that doesn’t happen, then we as West Virginians will have abandoned our brothers and sisters to the south, nearly 20,000 men, women, and children who are crying out for our help.

Who will step forward?