All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Gov. Justice announces $1.08 million in funding for Rainelle storm water project

Gov Jim Justice
Gov Jim Justice

CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice announced today that the State of West Virginia has been awarded $1,084,875 in grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reduce major flood risk impacting Rainelle, due to the water flow in the creeks or the Meadow River in Greenbrier County.

This grant funding is in response to the June 2016 Presidential Major Disaster Declaration and is part of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The purpose of HMGP is to enact mitigation measures reducing the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters.

“We’ve been working right alongside our FEMA partners for several years now and I’m so happy that we’re seeing this supportive funding coming into West Virginia,” Gov. Justice said. “But, as always, I’m not done fighting. I will keep working every day to secure every resource we can for all the victims of flooding in Rainelle and all across our great state.”

The grant award provides funding to Town of Rainelle for Phase 1 of a storm water project. Phase 1 will study how to convey water from the drainage basin to the river safely and should be based on the 2016 flood levels of the river and creeks.

FEMA obligates funding for this project directly to the State. The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM) works alongside FEMA at the State level on these recovery efforts. It is the State’s responsibility to ensure that the eligible sub-recipient receive this award.

The HMGP is one of the many voluntary grant programs available following a disaster. HMGP is funded by FEMA and managed in West Virginia by DHSEM.

Andy Pendleton, who served as mayor of Rainelle during the flood and until 2019, praised Gov. Justice’s leadership in securing this funding.

“This is a fabulous day for the people of Rainelle. I sincerely appreciate Governor Justice’s commitment to our community and for not giving up on us,” Pendleton said. “Governor Justice worked side-by-side with us during my time in office to make sure we would get this important funding. We also worked with the folks with FEMA Region 4 – it took a whole team to pull this off. And now that this day is finally here, I’m overwhelmed.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Election Update: Upshur County and Buckhannon candidate filings as of Jan. 23

The candidate filing period is underway for the May 12, 2026, Primary Election in West Virginia. Here’s a look at who has filed so far for Upshur County and City of Buckhannon offices, plus where and when to file before the Jan. 31 deadline.

B-U ladies to host second annual Bonnie the Buccaneer Beatdown Saturday

Top-ranked, defending state champion Buckhannon-Upshur will host the second annual Bonnie the Buccaneer Beatdown Saturday, featuring 26 teams and many of the state’s top female wrestlers despite the host’s seven-wrestler roster.

Centers Against Violence representatives discuss impact of human trafficking, stalking in Upshur County

Centers Against Violence urged Upshur County leaders to take stalking and human trafficking seriously as the commission proclaimed Stalking Prevention Month and Human Trafficking Awareness Month.

Connie Miller Burk

Connie Miller Burk, 72, of Buckhannon, a former WV Wesleyan and Union Drilling employee, loving mother of twin sons Shawn and Shane Miller, and devoted churchgoer, died January 20, 2026, with services Jan. 27.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Madelyn Tucker and Jerin Westfall

The latest Hank Ellis All-Stars are Lady Buc sophomore Madelyn Tucker and Buccaneer senior Jerin Westfall. Tucker powered B-U to a perfect 2-0 week, while Westfall tallied his 1,000th career point.

Winter storm update: Heavy snow, ice expected to cause ‘widespread and significant impacts’ this weekend

Upshur County is under a winter storm watch as heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain threaten major travel and infrastructure impacts from Saturday through Monday.

School bus crashes on Route 20 after hitting black ice; one child taken to hospital

A school bus carrying 25 students slid on black ice on Route 20 Wednesday morning and went off the road, according to Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman. All students were checked at the scene, and one child was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with minor injuries.

B-U swim teams finish up regular season

Buckhannon-Upshur’s girls won six events (four individual, two relays) and the boys one on Senior Night, then the girls placed fifth and boys sixth at a nine-team/ seven-team make-up before the Big 10 championships.

Basketball ‘Cats fall on the road to Frostburg State, 105-83

Frostburg State defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 105–83 as Frostburg’s second-half surge and efficient shooting overcame Wesleyan’s 47.8 percent offense and 21 points from Isaiah Baker.