By Derek Tyson, The Welch News Editor

WELCH, W. Va. - When heavy rains struck the area in February, both underpasses in Welch were blocked by flood water, effectively shutting Welch off from half of McDowell County. In that moment, a critical need for the City of Welch became glaringly obvious to Mayor Harold McBride.

With more water than the pumping system in the flood wall could keep up with, Rt . . .

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