CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice placed 10 counties under a state of emergency Monday afternoon in connection with what his office called “significant flooding.”
The high water is causing problems in Barbour, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, Tucker, Upshur and Webster counties.
A state of emergency allows the state to remove certain restrictions so it can better respond to emergency situations, according to state Emergency Operations and Homeland Security Director Jimmy Gianato.
“It allows us to work in different areas with different jurisdictions that need to run overtime to get supplies in–they can do that. It allows the Division of Highways to seek waivers (for emergency road work) if necessary,” Gianato said.
The state Emergency Operations Center has been activated and the West Virginia National Guard has been placed on standby, the governor’s office said.