CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One thing West Virginia’s Department of Homeland Security has learned in the past decade is be prepared. The National Weather Service has an ominous forecast for the next 24 to 48 hours in West Virginia and nobody is taking it lightly.
“We’re looking to see a variety of weather across the state,” said Homeland Security Secretary Jimmy Gianato. “Freezing rain transitioning to all rain and heavy rain. That could cause potential flooding before changing off to snow and heavy snow into Wednesday and Thursday.”
Gianato said there is also the possibility of high winds in the forecast which could bring down trees and power lines.
“We’re preparing for potential flooding particularly in the Tygart Valley and in the southern counties along the Tug Fork,” said Gianato. “We’re pre-positioning resources to be ready to respond if something happens.”
At the local level preparation is also underway.
“We’re hoping our rivers going to crest slightly under flood stage, but in recent years most of the flooding has been small streams and creeks,” said Logan County Emergency Services Director Roger Bryant. “It’s been along Island Creek or Buffalo Creek, one of those tributaries of the Guyandotte.”
Byrant said they too have positioned resources and done their best to warn residents to be ready for anything.
Mingo County Emergency Services Director Doug Goolsby said they have less concern about river flooding because of the flood walls.
“They’re projecting a crest of 31.8 and moderate is 32,” he said. “Our flood walls in Williamson and Matewan will be able to control that. The outlying areas may have minor to moderate flooding.”
Mingo County posts regular updates to Facebook and when threats become more specific an emergency notification system sends out warning phone calls to the county’s residents with instructions and information on each situation.
The National Weather Service has posted flood watches which take effect Tuesday night. Forecasters say high water, particularly from the melting snow in the headwaters of the river drainage’s will be the biggest threat in the system.