MADISON CREEK, W.Va. — The state Division of Highways has closed a Logan County road until further notice after several mudslides and a continuing unstable situation. The road is the only way in and out of a community with several families.
The DOH has an option for residents who live beyond the slide on Madison Creek Road. The agency announced late Tuesday an emergency watercraft would be used to cross the Guyandotte River and evacuate residents who wish to leave. The DOH is working with the Logan Emergency Ambulance Authority and the sheriff’s department on evacuation and security issues. The DOH is also working on temporary living and travel arrangements for the residents.
Madison Creek Road sits right between two Route 10 construction sites and some residents have blamed that work on creating the unstable conditions. Walker said recent rains put the hillside on the edge.
“It’s become very muddy, soupy and a lot of that stuff has come off to block the road. It’s very unstable,” DOH spokesman Brent Walker said. Another significant slide took place at about 4:10 p.m. Tuesday.
Walker said repairing the damage won’t be a quick-fix.
“I don’t think we’ll be able to get that hillside stabilized within a couple of hours,” he said.
Residents can call the Logan Emergency Ambulance Service Authority for assistance at 304-752-7662.
The DOH has had 25 rock and mudslides in recent days because of heavy rain along freezing and thawing.