TRIADELPHIA, W.Va. — The American Red Cross of the Central Appalachia Region has set up locations in flood-ravaged Marion and Ohio counties and will meet with victims through Friday.
Red Cross Allegheny Highlands Chapter Executive Director Jason Keeling said caseworkers will be available to meet with flood victims from noon to 6 p.m. each day at two locations in Ohio County and one in the city of Fairmont.
“At the City of Fairmont Public Safety Building on Quincey Street and also in Ohio County in Triadelphia, we will be located at Roney’s Point Church and the Triadelphia Town Hall,” Keeling said.
The damage across the two-county area has ranged from water damage to complete devastation and loss of life. The members of the Red Cross have witnessed countless homes with water damage and structural issues, but the Fairmont apartment building collapse was by far the worst of the damage observed.
“The most visual that many of us have seen is the building in Fairmont that partially collapsed,” Keeling said. “That was a very significant point of destruction.”
Residents can expect caseworkers to help with referrals to local support agencies, recovery planning, and in some cases immediate financial assistance. Residents must provide valid identification and proof of property ownership. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
“We are doing damage assessments, so we need to be able to verify their homes have been destroyed or impacted in a significant way,” Keeling said.
Keeling said the mobile sites will help them make contact with as many residents as possible. Many new property purchases or rental properties in many cases don’t have current contact information public, and the centers allow those property owners to self-identify.
“We also want to make anyone who might have been missed and that maybe we could not reach them is why we are having these service centers,” Keeling said.
The three centers opened Tuesday.