Where to Seek Shelter in Fayette County

After a train derailment near the Fayette- Kanawha County line Monday afternoon, residents within a half mile radius of Armstrong Creek Road are being asked to evacuate their homes, according to a press release from the West Virginia State Police. 

A representative of a West Virginia chapter of the American Red Cross says some shelters have been made available, but Red Cross workers who were attempting to set up an overnight shelter at Valley High School in Smithers were not able to reach the location as of 5 p.m. Monday.

The Red Cross will continue to try to reach the location, but Valley High is open to evacuees as a place to stay warm.

Evacuation / Shelter Locations:

• Valley High School– The American Red Cross is attempting to set up an overnight shelter, but Kanawha and Fayette County Emergency Management have opened the location for residents. The shelter will open at 6:30 p.m.
• West Virginia University Tech Gymnasium– The shelter will open at 6:30 p.m. 
• Holiday Lodge, Oak Hill– CSX has rented out all available rooms at the Oak Hill hotel for residents to stay overnight. The lodge is located at 340 Oyler Ave.
• CSX is also providing a community outreach center at the Glass-In Riverside Room at the Glenn Ferris Inn. That location can be found along U.S. 60, east of the derailment.

A Red Cross representative said the Armstrong Creek and Falls View Community Centers are also open for evacuees, but are not Red Cross sponsored centers with overnight accommodations. 
For more information about shelters, contact the Montgomery Fire Department at 304-442-5139.