If Republicans had their way, $40 million in loans for flood recovery in 2016 would not have gone to Greenbrier Valley.

Greenbrier County, June 2016. Photo courtesy of Kayla McCoy.

The disasters wrought by Hurricane Helene and Milton are bringing back painful memories of the 2016 floods in our region. We know that the road to recovery for those people will be long and hard, as it was for us.

Anyone who suffered property loss can recall how quick and efficient the federal disaster response was. So many folks whose homes were flooded did not have flood insurance because they were not in designated flood plains. Yet those people could access one of the important tools to help people build back, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: low-interest, long-term loans for repair and rebuilding — not a give-a-way — a loan.

After the 2016 floods that hit our region, the SBA provided 612 disaster loans totaling $40 million to homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by the deluge. The Republican’s Project 2025 plan would eliminate these disaster loans. In a crisis, and at a family’s most vulnerable time, this key resource for helping people recover would be terminated.

Along with ending the loan program, under Project 2025, Republicans would terminate the National Flood Insurance Program and the grants that help states and localities prepare for disasters. It would also dismantle the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including the National Weather Service.

What you can do to ensure this cruel plan is never put in place:

• Register to vote, check on your registration, request an absentee ballot, or find your polling place at govoteWV.com

• Vote for Democratic candidates who will fight for you. 

  
  

• Learn more about Project 2025 and educate your family and friends.

  
  

• Read how the WV Democratic Party platform supports all West Virginians.

• Donate to our Blue Skies Ahead campaign to help get out the vote in Greenbrier County this November.

  
  

• Sign up for our Greenbrier County Democratic Women’s Club email newsletter to learn how you can volunteer and help get out the vote.