Marshall University is housing about 275 out-of-state utility workers brought in by Appalachian Power to help the company restore power following last week’s record-breaking storm that damaged electrical infrastructure across much of the Mid-Atlantic.
The workers are staying in three of the four Marshall Commons residence halls on the Huntington campus tonight and Saturday night, said Dr. Karen Kirtley, senior vice president for administration.
Kirtley said Appalachian Power contacted Marshall for availability when the large number of workers brought in for the recovery created a lodging need well beyond the capacity available at area hotels and motels. Marshall’s Huntington campus has had power since last Saturday, although the university did suffer about $95,000 in damage and its South Charleston and Point Pleasant, W.Va., campuses were closed on Monday due to power outages.
“Our Huntington campus has been fortunate to have power throughout this week, so President Kopp has offered our facilities and any assistance we can give to the state and local emergency services,” Kirtley said. “We have been on standby to house local elderly residents; however, Appalachian Power quickly restored power to the high-rise housing facilities and thus far our residence halls have not been needed for that purpose.
“We are glad to be available for Appalachian Power and its workers. I know they are working long days in this remarkable heat to get all of us back up, so we will do what we can to help.”
