CHARLESTON — A state of emergency was declared this morning by Gov. Jim Justice for five counties including Calhoun and Roane due to excessive rainfall that has caused significant flooding and damage to homes, bridges and roads, the governor’s office said.

Assets from the West Virginia National Guard including the all-hazards swift water rescue team and UH-72 Lakota and UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters have been activated and are prepping for emergency dispatch per standard domestic operations emergency procedures, in coordination with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division. The National Guard Joint Operations Center (is on full activation and additional manpower and units will be activated as requested to assist with response and recovery operations.

As part of the declaration, Justice has directed the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to implement the West Virginia Emergency Operations Plan as necessary, mobilize appropriate personnel and resources to respond to the emergency, and facilitate the provision of essential emergency services.

Kelly Barr, Calhoun County 911 and emergency services director, said the storm at 8 a.m. today was a surprise.

“They really didn’t have this predicted,” she said.

South Calhoun Highway south from Minnora is closed, Barr said. Water was over the guard rails, she said.

A woman was trapped in her car in high water on South Calhoun Highway, but was able to get out and make it to safety, Barr said.

The West Virginia Emergency Management Division and the West Virginia Division of Highways also are responding to the affected areas with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and local officials to aid residents needing assistance.

The Division of Highways is clearing culverts, cleaning mudslides and assessing damage in the counties, the governor’s office said. Mudslides closed both lanes of U.S. 60 in Belle and on the West Virginia Turnpike near Chelyan at Mile Marker 85.5 where the southbound right lane is closed.

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Emergency for Kanawha County and a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Braxton, Calhoun, Clay and Roane counties.

The State of Emergency will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated by subsequent proclamation, the governor’s office said.

All 55 West Virginia counties remain under a State of Preparedness declared Aug. 7 by the.