Morrisey, West Virginia emergency response officials provide Sunday night briefing on flooding
(Capitol Notes - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreative)
CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey and West Virginia emergency management officials provided a livestreamed update on flood response in southern West Virginia Sunday night. Morrisey, West Virginia National Guard Adjutant Gen. Jim Seward, and state Department of Homeland Security Acting Cabinet Secretary Rob Cunningham took to the social media platform X Sunday night as state and local emergency responders address substantial flooding in several counties. “Over the last two days, the state and a lot of the localities around the state have been working around the clock to help our citizens to make sure that we’re doing everything imaginable to help West Virginians who are in need,” Morrisey said. A state of preparedness proclamation Morrisey issued on Feb. 5 in anticipation of winter weather, heavy rains, localized flooding and freezing temperatures was still in effect. That allowed emergency planners to implement operation plans and mobilize personnel and resources. “That actually was the precursor setting up the state for success because now the state has the ability to help every county that’s in need,” Morrisey said. Saturday night, Morrisey issued a state of emergency for Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties. Morrisey added Boone, Lincoln and Wayne counties to the state of emergency Sunday afternoon. The Tug Fork River and the Bluestone River have experienced major flooding, while many streams and rivers have not yet crested, suggesting potential for further flooding over the next 24 to 48 hours. According to the National Weather Service, parts of the lower Ohio Valley and southern West Virginia saw rainfall amounts anywhere between 1.5 inches to 3.9 inches over a 48-hour period, with Seward saying that some southern counties reported up to 5 inches of rain. More than 30 high water rescues have been performed, with the National Guard deploying its all-hazard swift water rescue teams to McDowell County. “We also set up a joint operations center involving many different state agencies within West Virginia to make sure that everything’s coordinated from the Governor’s Office to Homeland Security, to the National Guard, Department of Transportation, Health, Corrections and other agencies,” Seward said. Immediate priorities include rescuing stranded residents, restoring power to over 54,000 citizens and delivering essential supplies, such as bottled water. Morrisey urged residents to report damage via a survey at emd.gov/disaster and to prioritize local emergency channels for assistance. Morrisey said the federal government, through U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, has pledged assistance. Noem posted on social media Saturday night that she had been in contact with Morrisey and offered federal resources. “The federal government has pledged to offer any assistance that we need to make sure that West Virginia citizens are protected,” Morrisey said. “I thank Secretary Noem for her promise and for her willingness to help, and I look forward to working with her in the weeks and months ahead.” Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.Local News
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