(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Time and again West Virginians in all corners of the state have had to deal with storms, flooding and mudslides that wreak havoc on lives and communities. This has gone on for generations, and after each disaster, there is always the question: Why does this keep happening?

Gov. Patrick Morrissey announced this week a couple of flood mitigation studies that might help get to the bottom of that. Federal and state funding will amount to $6 million for studies of both the Upper Guyandotte River and Kanawha River Basin watersheds. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will play a significant role in the studies.

The Upper Guyandotte Flood Study will focus on Mullins, Pineville and Oceana in Wyoming County. The Kanawha River Basin Feasibility Study will include 20 counties, 14 of which were directly affected by the June 2016 floods. Morrisey’s office notes the two studies also include nine of the 12 counties that received a disaster declaration after the February 2025 floods.

“We know all too well the dangers that floods pose to West Virginia,” Morrissey said. “These disasters have disrupted lives, damaged infrastructure, and devastated entire communities. With these new initiatives, we are investing in data-driven, long-term solutions that will help us better protect our people and prepare our state for challenges ahead.”

Residents of several other counties may be thinking “What about us?” But this is a promising start. And the West Virginia Resiliency Office is supposed to coordinate the integration of study findings into broader state mitigation and preparedness plans.

Another question often asked after devastating flooding is “Why do people keep living there?”

Because it’s home. Because they don’t want to or can’t leave. Because hope springs eternal — and some of them would rather rebuild as often as it takes than give up their own slice of Almost Heaven.

Perhaps once these studies have been completed there can be another answer to that question: Because the work has been done to make sure we understand this land and are as prepared and safe here as possible.