More than 70 Bureau of Reclamation employees have been deployed in Florida and West Virginia to help citizens with hurricane recovery efforts and damage assessments.

"Reclamation has a long tradition of excellence in civil engineering and technical expertise," said Reclamation Commissioner John Keys. "While we normally operate only within the 17 western states, all of us here at Reclamation are thrilled to have the opportunity to help our fellow citizens in Florida and West Virginia who have been so adversely affected by these storms."

In Florida, Reclamation employees are assisting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with recovery efforts for Hurricanes Charley and Jeanne. Employees are providing expert oversight of contractors who are repairing residents' homes and restoring other facilities that were devastated by recent storms. Reclamation employees recently received a special commendation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the support they have been providing.

In West Virginia, six Reclamation employees are assisting FEMA in performing hurricane-related flood damage assessments of roads, bridges, and public infrastructure.