The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates that it will take three to six months to remove debris from Hurricane Helene, which caused over $4 billion in damages in Virginia. Collaboration with federal agencies for recovery assistance is underway, and VDOT expects to rebuild affected roads and structures within approximately 12 months.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) forecasts a timeframe of approximately three to six months for the removal of debris caused by Hurricane Helene, a devastating storm that claimed three lives and inflicted over $4 billion in damages across the Appalachian region. The debris cleanup assessment will be presented to the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board during an upcoming meeting. Jessica Cowardin, a spokesperson for VDOT, emphasized that the debris removal is a systematic, route-by-route operation aimed at ensuring safety and clearing materials displaced by the storm.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, 2023, before impacting Southwest Virginia the following day, resulting in significant flooding with the New River rising to 31 feet in certain locations. The storm disrupted power for hundreds of thousands of residents and caused extensive damage to businesses. In response, Governor Glenn Youngkin submitted a request for federal assistance to address the estimated $4.4 billion in damages statewide.
Christian Martinez, Governor Youngkin’s press secretary, stated that Virginia is actively working with various federal, state, and local partners to secure expedited support from federal agencies for recovery efforts. VDOT anticipates that federal reimbursements, including support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Highway Administration, will cover up to 100% of the storm response costs and the rebuilding of roadways over a projected span of three years.
The storm is estimated to have produced around 511,000 cubic yards of debris, with VDOT having collected approximately 110,000 cubic yards so far and contractors clearing an additional 6,000 cubic yards. This debris removal timeline was formulated based on historical data from prior storms. Moreover, the state has established a Debris Task Force comprised of FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and several other entities to facilitate cleanup operations.
VDOT is also responsible for removing an estimated 135 acres of debris from the surface of Claytor Lake, which involves specialized equipment such as hydraulic excavators and a 300-ton crane. In an announcement earlier in October, FEMA committed to a multi-million-dollar initiative with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct debris removal at both Claytor Lake and South Holston Lake over approximately four months.
Col. Sonny Avichal, the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Norfolk District, remarked on the complexity of water debris removal tasks. Furthermore, VDOT is expected to present a timeline of about 12 months for the repair and reconstruction of damaged roadways and structures, with the number of affected sites having undergone significant reduction since the storm.
Currently, four structures and seven roadways, including Routes 58 and 1212, alongside the Route 725 bridge, remain in need of repair following the storm’s aftermath.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in late September 2023, inflicted significant damage across Virginia and particularly targeted the southwestern Appalachian region. The storm led to severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and a considerable power outage affecting hundreds of thousands of residents, alongside economic strain on local businesses. In light of these events, the Virginia Department of Transportation has been mobilized to address the extensive debris and infrastructure rehabilitation involved in recovery efforts. The state’s strategy includes collaboration with multiple agencies and projections for federal aid to aid in the comprehensive cleanup and rebuilding processes.
In summary, the Virginia Department of Transportation estimates that the cleanup of debris from Hurricane Helene will span three to six months, with extensive collaboration with federal and state agencies to address the aftermath of the storm. Moreover, efforts are ongoing to secure federal reimbursements and logistical support for rebuilding infrastructure affected by the storm. This crisis has underscored the significant impact of natural disasters on communities, emphasizing the importance of coordinated recovery efforts.
Original Source: virginiamercury.com
