HARMAN, W.Va. — Residents in a Randolph County town in flash flood recovery will take time to celebrate Independence Day.
The Harman Volunteer Fire Department July 4th Celebration was still scheduled for Thursday, just days after heavy rain sent floodwaters rushing through parts of the town leaving behind extensive damage.
“People need a little joy and celebration right now,” said Delegate Cody Thompson (D-Randolph, 43) of the reason for the decision from Harman’s leaders to continue with the holiday plans.
“What better way to do that than to celebrate the 4th of July?”
A previous schedule for the Harman Volunteer Fire Department July 4th Celebration indicated craft vendors would open at 9 a.m. Thursday.
A parade was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. with fireworks after dark. The rain date for the fireworks was Saturday.
A new veterans memorial was also set to be dedicated.
“Luckily, that memorial was not damaged during the flood,” said Thompson during an appearance on Wednesday’s MetroNews “Talkline.”
Harman sits at the intersection of Route 33, from Elkins, and Route 32.
One of its boundary lines is the Dry Fork River which flooded late Saturday into early Sunday as heavy rain fell.
Randolph County, home to Harman, was one of five counties included in a State of Emergency Declaration from Governor Jim Justice after the storms.