Historic and tragic flooding swept across large parts of West Virginia yesterday. As of Friday morning, there were at least three (3) flood-related deaths in West Virginia, with rescue efforts continuing in several counties. Significant flooding was reported in Richwood, White Sulphur Springs, Summersville, and throughout Nicholas and Greenbrier Counties. Parts of downtown Richwood were evacuated and many area businesses sustained flood damage. Flooding was also reported in the Elkview and Clendenin areas of Kanawha County. Approximately 200 people were trapped overnight in the Crossings Mall shopping plaza in Elkview when the access road washed out. Rivers that overflowed their banks included the Gauley, Cherry and Cranberry rivers. The Gauley River at Camden-on-Gauley reached an all-time high water level of 29 feet on Thursday night.
Electricity is out in portions of the state, with more than 34,000 customers without power on Thursday evening. Water and natural gas service has been disrupted in many areas. Downed trees and mudslides have closed numerous roads and highways.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has declared a State of Emergency for 44 of West Virginia’s 55 counties in response to the flooding. The State of Emergency includes all parts of the state except for the Northern and Eastern Panhandle counties. The state’s Emergency Operations Center was activated on Thursday, and Governor Tomblin has mobilized the WV National Guard. State agencies such as the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the WV Department of Health & Human Resources (DHHR), as well as private organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, are all engaged in the flood relief effort.
Local 911 centers are fielding calls from residents with emergencies. Contact information for local WV County Emergency Management Offices in all 55 counties can be obtained at the following link: http://www.dhsem.wv.gov/Important%20Contact%20Numbers/Pages/default.aspx. Updates from WV Homeland Security are being posted on social media at the following Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WVDHSEM/
WV Congressman Evan Jenkins has already contacted Governor Tomblin’s office and has offered to expedite any request for a federal disaster declaration for the affected counties. Congressman Jenkins’ office can be contacted by phone at (202) 225-3452 or online at https://evanjenkins.house.gov/contact
The West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross has opened emergency shelters in Pocahontas, Roane and Kanawha Counties. http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery/find-an-open-shelter
Relief efforts are underway across the state, with food items, cleaning supplies and bottled water being collected by various groups. Contact information for relief organizations is provided below:
American Red Cross — WV Chapter: Phone 304-340-3650 or 1-800-REDCROSS http://www.redcross.org/local/west-virginia
Salvation Army — WV Chapter: Phone 304-343-4548 http://salvationarmymwv.org/
Leadership West Virginia has launched a relief effort involving all alumni of all LWV classes. Food items, bottled water and cleaning supplies are being collected by LWV alumni across the state to be delivered to the Nicholas County Community Foundation in Richwood. Monetary contributions can be sent to Pam Farris at Leadership WV, 1624 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston WV 25311. For more information about this LWV relief effort, contact Jared Tully (LWV Class of 2016) at jtully@fbtlaw.com or Pam Farris at pfarris@leadershipwv.org
The West Virginia State Republican Party is also collecting flood relief supplies at its Convention and Summer Meeting this weekend in Charleston. Non-perishable food items and cleaning supplies can be dropped off at the Charleston Marriott (2nd floor) from 12 noon Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, contact the WV Republican Party at 304-768-0493.
News Articles:
http://wvmetronews.com/2016/06/24/flood-deaths-rise-rescue-efforts-ongoing-in-some-counties/
http://wvmetronews.com/2016/06/23/tomblin-issues-state-of-emergency-for-44-counties/
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160623/two-found-dead-homes-swept-away-by-storms-in-wv
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160624/update-rescues-continue-dunbar-sc-bridge-closed
http://wchstv.com/news/local/state-of-emergency-declared-in-44-west-virginia-counties-after-massive-flooding
