CHARLESTON, W.Va (WV News) — The Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding convened Tuesday to review the state’s response to the 2025 floods that struck both northern and southern West Virginia.

Lawmakers heard testimony from key officials, including James Seward, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, and Doug Buffington, acting secretary of the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security.

Seward detailed the guard’s extensive involvement in both disasters. The southern flood, which began on Feb. 15, dropped four to five inches of rain across much of the region, prompting the governor to declare an emergency and activate the guard.

“Because many of the areas were underwater, we couldn’t get our vehicles in immediately, but our swift water rescue team headed for Welch im

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