‘By The Grace Of God’: No Loss Of Life In Hard-Hit Weston

With high winds and heavy rains across much of the state Tuesday, the town of Weston was among the hardest hit.  

Six inches of rain came down on Lewis County in less than three hours, according to the National Weather Service – flooding streets, cars, homes and businesses in Weston.  

Search and rescue efforts began almost immediately. 

“They’ve worked all night long helping people to get to safer ground,” Mayor Kim Harrison said. “They’ve been checking abandoned cars and making sure that there’s no one stranded in those cars.”  

City manager Joe Solberg said the town has been fortunate. 

“By the grace of God Himself, we still have no reports of lost life, and there’s been no one who we’ve been unable to account for,” Solberg said.   

Weston fire and police crews were the first to respond. More help came within hours. 

“The Sheriff’s Department, the Office of Emergency Management has stepped in,” Solberg said. “We now have folks coming in from other counties. I think Gilmer County has sent support. Harrison County, the City of Bridgeport has sent support, and now the Army National Guard is here.” 

In nearby Buckhannon, there was similar devastation. 

“This is heartbreaking,” Mayor Robbie Skinner said. “This is not something you want to see in your hometown. But we will get past it. We will get through it. This is strong community, and I believe in us.” 

Gov. Patrick Morrisey pledged state support in a late-afternoon press conference. 

“Over the last 24 hours, we’ve had a very aggressive response from many of the state agencies, DNR, working alongside with local fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, and of course, I can’t say enough about all the local agencies,” Morrisey said. “We are concerned about loss of life. We’re not here to make any specific announcements pertaining to that, but we are concerned about that.” 

There were more than 100 water rescues. Emergency shelters across the region were housing more than 100 people at the Buckhannon Nazarene Church, Lewis County High School, and Philippi Middle School. 

In Weston, the mayor said the loss of homes, cars and businesses is staggering. 

“Right now, Weston has no grocery store whatsoever,” Harrison said.   

Donations of baby supplies, cleaning supplies and non-perishable foods are being accepted at the Marketplace Plaza in Weston.