DANVILLE, W.Va. — Folks living along Lick Creek in Boone County are hoping they aren’t forgotten. Several homes along the waterway were damaged in a fast developing thunderstorm last week which pushed the creek well out of its banks with very little warning.
“It took out concrete bridges with the force of the water. It was very, very forceful and it all happened within a matter of 30 minutes,” said Becky Asbury who lives with her wheelchair bound mother along the creek near Danville.
The storm created a classic flash flood which came up and went down rapidly, but it left damage behind. Asbury noted their home had lost the HVAC system, duct work under the house and their backup generator. They also lost her mother’s wheelchair ramp which was torn from the side of the home and washed away. Their yard is covered in debris and she hoped she could get some help with the cleanup.
“My mother is in a wheelchair and I have a disconnected pelvis and can’t get out there and do a whole lot,” she explained.
She’s contacted the Governor’s office and hoped the state would offer some form of assistance. So far, she’s applied for assistance through the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). The group has done a lot of work in West Virginia since 2016 and is connected to the Mennonite Disaster Assistance programs. Mennonite builders are specifically trying to help those along Lick Creek who lost access bridges in the high water.
“There were a total of seven bridges washed away. Two bridges have already been replaced with just neighbors helping neighbors. I know the Mennonites have made contact about helping to replace some private bridges up there,” said Greg Hager who was part of the initial response with the Danville Fire Department and also works with the county’s Emergency Services department.
Hager said about 50 people were impacted and cut off initially, but all access has been restored. All utility service has also been restored although Asbury said her home’s water pressure is still low.
It’s unlikely FEMA assistance will be warranted for the level of damage, but Asbury hoped some other form of help would develop.
“We’re hoping to get some assistance with our heating and cooling unit and I need some assistance with all of the debris,” she said.