As parts of southern West Virginia continue to drown in damages, Sen. Jeff Kessler said Wednesday that the Ohio Valley has the opportunity to rise, and learn.

Kessler has filed pre-candidacy papers to explore running for governor in 2012, and as someone who wants to lead the state of West Virginia he said he feels what's going on in several southern counties is devastating -- but not defeating.

"People of the state particularly in the southern part of it are used to it -- they're stout folks and they'll get through it and survive it, but it's going to be an expensive proposition," Kessler said.

The expense of the damages is area number one where Kessler said the Valley can prepare now. He said currently in the south their examining where locks and dams didn't hold up, and he said the Valley can check those things before troubled waters hit.

"If there's any type of tributaries or culverts, or creeks may need dredged ... that's something we need to probably look at -- and that's something we need to be ever vigilant of ... to make sure we don't contribute to any of that natural weather changes that occur," Kessler said.

Kessler said the Valley can also look at emergency communication plans and learn from the recent flooding in southern West Virginia.

"We would always be looking to improve communication systems both within departments and equally to the community -- so that disasters can be prevented," Kessler said.