DOH keeping eye on the roads in the eastern mountain counties, panhandle

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It could be a long day for DOH workers in the eastern mountains of West Virgnia.

Some areas had as much as five to six inches of rain since mid-week forcing creeks and streams out of their banks and into the roadways.

State DOH spokesperson Carrie Bly said she started getting updates from the areas first thing Friday morning.

“The e-mails kept being titled “More Road Closures” and ‘More Road Closures.’ So we’re seeing a lot of closures due to high water in Berkeley, Hampshire, Hardy, Mineral and Morgan counties,” she explained.

There’s also been high water in Randolph and Tucker counties.

At this point the amount of damage is still unknown.

“We can’t see the damage right now because the water is up. Right now we’re dealing with the high water and debris. Later on when that water goes down, we’ll be able to assess what damage it has done to the roadways,” said Bly.

The storm system that rolled through Thursday was predicted to hit the Kanawha Valley hard. Instead it tracked further east. The mountain counties and the Eastern Panhandle got the worst of it. Bly stressed at this point, they’re still dealing with an unknown.

“We don’t anticipate it being a lot of heavy damage like roads washed away and things like that. But we really never know until the water goes down.”

In the meantime, Bly said they want to make sure the motoring public doesn’t go anywhere they shouldn’t. That’s why DOH workers have been busy putting up ‘High Water’ signs.

“People should never drive through high water. So we hope our signs and our presence are going to keep people safe,” said Bly.

Drier, cooler conditions are in the forecast for the weekend.





More News

News
UMWA to fight planned Pennsylvania coal mine closure, 700 mining jobs at risk
Mine located south of Waynesburg, Pa., less than 40 miles from Morgantown.
March 28, 2024 - 2:23 pm
News
Bridge collapse having an impact on West Virginia coal shipments
About third of the coal mined in northern West Virginia is shipped out of the presently idled Port of Baltimore
March 28, 2024 - 1:18 pm
News
Charleston animal shelter seeks more donations, fosters following U-Haul crash
The corner roof of the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association building was stabilized Thursday morning.
March 28, 2024 - 12:41 pm
News
Controversial unemployment bill becomes law without governor's signature
The bill freezes employer contributions and freezes benefits for people who lose their jobs.
March 28, 2024 - 12:20 pm


Your Comments