Tag: Flood

Flood Conditions Improve in Southern W.Va., Now What?

Flood waters that left residents stranded in their homes have receded in most places, according to emergency services in some southern West Virginia Counties. The flood warning issued by the National Weather Service  remains in effect until 6:45 p.m. Thursday for parts of West Virginia.

 

Emergency Services throughout the region say flooding or high water levels have improved, although the region is bracing for bitter cold temps.

In Fayette County dispatchers say at one time high waters stranded folks living in about 400 homes in Pax, Weirwood, and Horse Creek.  They say, for the most part roads, are opening back up.

Dispatchers in Raleigh County say residents in about 10 homes remain displaced from their homes in Violet Lane in Beaver after being evacuated Wednesday.

Dean Meadows, Director of Wyoming County, Emergency Services says folks in about 100 homes at Coon Branch are accessible with a four-wheel drive. Meadows says the water has receded but there is still a pile of mud and snow on the road.

Meadows says  emergency officials used a boat to rescue a pregnant woman in labor from that area on Wednesday.

Dispatchers throughout the region are now prepping for colder temps which could create even more challenges for the region.

The National Guard is assisting with monitoring the region. Meadows says the state of emergency declaration by the governor has reduced the possibility of major issues in the area.

On top of the flooding, several West Virginia Counties are under winter storm warnings until 7:00 p.m. tonight. Ice and snow has created dangerous driving conditions. Temperatures are expected to dip overnight putting emergency officials poised to open shelters for the thousands without power in West Virginia.

According to Appalachian Power’s website, 34, 957 AEP customers were without power as of 4:50 p.m. Thursday. There are almost 10, 000 customers in Cabell County without power.

Creeks Rising in Southern West Virginia

High waters are creating dangerous conditions in southern West Virginia. Dispatchers say some residents are being evacuated.Emergency dispatchers in…

High waters are creating dangerous conditions in southern West Virginia. Dispatchers say some residents are being evacuated.

Emergency dispatchers in Wyoming County say that the rainfall Wednesday morning caused a mudslide. One resident in Jesse told dispatchers that part of the mountain slid into their residence. Deputies are on scene evaluating the situation.

Several roads in Wyoming County including route 971 in front of Westside High School are closed.  Students were not in class because board members made the proactive decision to cancel school Wednesday, anticipating high waters in the region.

Some roads are also closed in Raleigh County due to high waters including parts of Airport Road between the Mining Academy and the Raleigh County Airport. Traffic is being rerouting because dispatchers say parts of the road have caved in.

Dispatchers also say about 10 homes were evacuated from Violet Lane in Beaver because of rising waters.

Video by Mel Petrey, standing on the bridge by Beaver hardware in Raleigh County.

Some roads in Mercer County are also closed. McDowell County officials are currently out in the region to assess the damage while Summers County is reporting no issues at this time.

Dispatchers throughout the region are bracing for more flood conditions.

McDowell Still Recovering from Flood

Although all roads are passable, emergency services in McDowell County are still working to clean up the mess after recent flooding.

Heavy rains Wednesday night washed away roads and flooded the Panther area in McDowell County. The Office of Emergency Services is actively looking for a location for residents to put debris.

Dispatchers say that the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, also known as WV VOAD, and the American Red Cross are actively determining which areas need service.

Dispatchers say about 100 people have been effected by this flood.

The McDowell Health Department will be offering well testing and tetanus vaccinations early this week. Emergency services say that exposure to flood water alone is not reason to get a vaccine. Only people who have not had a Td booster in the last ten years or five years if they have a severe wound.

Here’s contact information for services in McDowell County:

  • McDowell County Emergency Services: (304) 436-4106 or (304) 436-6900 | Facebook
  • McDowell County Health Department: (304) 448-2174 
  • American Red Cross: West Virginia Region: (304) 340-3650
  • West Virginia VOAD: Website | wvvoad@gmail.com 
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