FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Folks who live in the neighborhoods close to Fairmont’s Locust Avenue, some of whom have been there six decades, say they’ve never seen flooding like they saw on Sunday afternoon. A deluge of rain poured down on the Friendly City and sent small streams and creeks way out of their banks. Much like the situation in Wheeling just hour earlier, the streams couldn’t handle the water level and the storm drains couldn’t drain it off fast enough.
“One of the first videos I saw was the collapse of the College Apartments across the road from Fairmont State. I ran down there on foot and there had been some water, but it receded pretty quickly,” said Senator Joey Garcia of Marion County.
The backside of the apartment building collapsed and video showed water pouring from the roof cascading over the open walled residential units like a waterfall. It’s still unclear what caused the wall to give way.
“I know many of you saw the terrible footage of the apartment complex. We know there are about 61 facilities affected in West Virginia. We have about 61 residences and about 25 businesses,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey during a Monday morning briefing in Fairmont.
The Governor was due to tour the damaged apartment complex and the nearby area at the conclusion of his press conference.
Fortunately, unlike the Wheeling disaster, Fairmont had no loss of life and nobody unaccounted for. Morrisey confirmed to reporters the recovery of six bodies in the Wheeling area and two more are still being sought in the aftermath of the flooding.
While Ohio County saw four-inches of rain in a half-hour, Fairmont wasn’t far behind with three inches of rain in a brief period Sunday afternoon. Water poured out of ditches, ran straight down city street, and poured over the edges of sidewalks and roadsides causing widespread damage to roads and bridges as well as homes and businesses.
“We know that our DNR was involved in 20 water rescues. In Marion County there were approximately another 20 water rescues, thanks to all of the first responders,” said the Governor.
Local emergency officials urged people to stay off roads still being cleared of debris in the flood zone, even if they lived in those homes. The Governor said his office has been in contact with FEMA who will soon visit the region to survey the damage. He urged residents who have damage to get registered here: emd.wv.gov/DisasterSurvey
Morrisey said he’s been extremely proud of first responders and neighbors helping neighbors even before the water started to go down. He added his heart grieved for the lost and those who lost them.
“This is a very difficult time for West Virginia. My heart continues to go out to the families who have lost loved ones. I went down to Triadelphia yesterday. It was brutal. I know I’m going to be going to the apartment building and looking at some of the carnage here today,” said the Governor.
Morrisey was joined in Fairmont by his Secretary of Homeland Security, Doug Buffington and National Guard Adjutant General Jim Seward. Both say they are working to coordinate relief and recovery efforts across all channels of state government.