State Of Emergency Extended For 12 Counties

The State of Emergency in 12 counties, following the severe storms and flooding that struck West Virginia beginning July 21, has been extended, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office. 

“West Virginians have made tremendous progress cleaning up and recovering from these storms, but there is still a lot of work ahead in some of our hardest-hit communities,” Morrisey said. “This extension ensures our state and local partners have the flexibility and resources they need to rebuild and recover.” 

The extension applies to Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pendleton, Pleasants, Randolph, Ritchie, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel counties and will remain in effect through Sept. 19.  

The State of Emergency for the rest of the state expires Aug. 20. 

Morrisey declared a State of Preparedness for all 55 counties on July 21 as severe storms moved across West Virginia before declaring a statewide State of Emergency later that evening. The storms brought damaging winds, torrential rainfall, flash flooding and landslides that damaged homes, businesses, public infrastructure and essential services across the state.  

Emergency operations continue in the 12 counties. Residents and communities still face impacts to homes, businesses, infrastructure and critical services that will require additional recovery work. 

The extension allows state and local agencies to continue coordinating personnel, equipment and other resources necessary to support relief and recovery operations in the affected counties.