PHILIPPI, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in Barbour County after a series of torrential downpours sent small creeks and streams out of their banks and caused major damage.
Authorites estimate the storms could have dumped 4.5 to 7 inches of rain in a span of three to four hours on Saturday. There are no offiicial rain gauges in the Arden community where most of the damge occured.
“The heaviest impacts were primarily to roadways and accessbility issues to those who live in that area. We’re still working to try and find remedies for those individuals who had driveways washed out,” said Barbour County Emergency Services Director Corey Brandon.
At least one house was destroyed by the high water, but most of the damage was to infrastrucrure like roads, bridges, and water lines.
“Arden Road is a primary road in that area and then some of the secondary roads. Then on the other side of the river toward the Preston and Tucker County side we had some low lying floods that made some roads impassable,” Brandon explained.
Water service in the Chestnut Ridge Public Service District was knocked out to more than 300 homes.
“Some supply lines ran parallel with those bridges and culverts and took some heavy damage, resulting in supply lines being severed and back flowing into the ground,” he said.
Water company repair crews were able to restore service to about half of those 300 customers, but the work continues and botttled water is available at the Arden Community Building. The water main break only made a bad situation worse as road beds were washed out and pavement broken and raised. The West Virginia Division of Highways has crews on the ground evaluating all of the damage and working to restore access to remote areas of the county cuf off by the damage. Governor Morrisey’s declaration will help speed the process along.
“When West Virginians are facing an emergency, we’re going to move quickly to get the people and resources in place to help,” said Morrisey. “We’re working closely with local emergency officials to assess damage, support response efforts, and help affected communities recover as quickly as possible.”
The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days and will free up state resources more quickly to tackle the infrastructure damage.
According to Brandon, they have more than enough bottled water, but are hoping the public will come forward with generous donations of bleach and cleaning supplies to be handed out. All supplies and donations are being distributed and accepted at the Arden Community building. Brandon said victims are encouraged to register with the state so they can get a better handle on the needs and whether any state or federal funding for disaster assistance might be forth coming. Registration can be done here or by calling 211 and provide information over the phone.