PANTHER, W.Va. — The state Division of Highways expects it will have all roads in the flood-damaged areas of McDowell County back in service by nightfall Friday.
The heavy thunderstorms Wednesday evening caused isolated flooding and damage to several homes in the Bull Creek area near Panther. A number of roads and bridges washed away leaving many stranded.
“We’ve had our crews out and we’re estimating about $500,000 worth of damage,” said Carrie Bly with the Department of Transportation. “We have some culverts and pipes washed out and in another area the shoulder is washed out.”
Bly said crews have been working on emergency repairs to reopen the roads, but will return at a later time to more permanently fix the damage.
“Most of them are secondary roads right along the creek bed,” said Bly. “But we don’t’ have any major roads impacted. We’re hoping by the end of the day to have everything pretty much back to normal.”