State Of Emergency Declared For 3 Southern W.Va. Counties

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has declared a State of Emergency for Boone, Logan, and Raleigh counties following severe storms, flash flooding, and landslides. 

“Protecting the safety of West Virginians remains our top priority,” Morrisey said. “My administration is working closely with local officials and emergency personnel to ensure affected communities have the resources they need as recovery efforts continue.” 

On Monday, a series of slow-moving storm systems produced damaging winds and heavy rainfall across the region. In some locations, rainfall totals exceeded six inches, overwhelming waterways, drainage systems, and transportation infrastructure. By Wednesday, new reports of damage to homes, businesses, roads, bridges, and other property were communicated to the state. 

State officials have been working with county commissioners, emergency managers, first responders, and local leaders to assess conditions on the ground as additional reports of flooding and storm damage have continued to emerge. Based on those assessments and the evolving needs identified by local officials, Morrisey determined that a State of Emergency declaration was warranted. 

West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) District 1 road crews were assessing damage, digging out, and making repairs following the heavy rains. 

In Boone County, work crews were on the site of a series of road washouts on James Branch Road near Wharton, where heavy localized rains led to flooding. 

“The roadway up and down this area, this holler, has been undercut tremendously by the creek,” Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh, who was on James Branch with WVDOH crews, said. “There are some areas that are even dangerous to be on the road at all. 

Crews were hauling in load after load of rock to rebuild the roadbed under James Branch Road where rushing waters washed it out. 

“We have seven trucks hauling shot rock in here to stabilize the creek bank, to reinforce the roadway so it’ll be safe to travel on,” District 1 Maintenance Assistant Russell Hoover said. “We’re trying to get the road opened up to where the residents in here can safely get out. 

Several roads and bridges near Wharton were damaged by flooding. At Shawnee Trail, just off WV 85, a bridge was ripped from its abutments and thrown into the water like a rag doll. And on nearby Cow Creek Road, pavement was peeled up and shredded when floodwaters turned the road into a river. 

State agencies, including the West Virginia Emergency Management Division, Division of Highways, and West Virginia National Guard, remain engaged in response and recovery efforts and are coordinating closely with local officials. 

Residents are encouraged to remain alert, monitor local weather conditions, and follow instructions from local emergency management officials. Additional information will be provided as damage assessments and recovery operations continue. 

The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated earlier by the governor.