KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Kanawha County Commission declared a countywide State of Emergency Tuesday following widespread flooding and storm damage that has also forced several schools to delay the start of the new school year.
The declaration follows significant flooding from storms that moved through the county Sunday, Aug. 16. According to the commission, flooding affected communities throughout Kanawha County, including the eastern portion of the county, areas around Charleston and communities in western Kanawha County.
The declaration formally recognizes the emergency and will assist the county in documenting response and recovery efforts as officials continue assessing the extent of the damage.
The Upper Kanawha Valley was among the areas affected by the flooding. Kanawha County Schools announced Tuesday that Riverside High School and its feeder schools will delay the start of classes from Wednesday until Monday because of flooding and damage in those communities.
Approximately 3,500 students are affected by the delayed opening. The schools are expected to open Monday on the same schedule originally planned for Wednesday.
The affected schools are:
- Belle Elementary School, 401 E. 6th St., Belle
- Cedar Grove Elementary School, 200 John St., Cedar Grove
- Dupont Middle School, 1 Panther Drive, Belle
- Malden Elementary School, 4001 Salines Drive, Charleston
- Mary Ingles Elementary School, 559 Big Bottom Hollow Road, Tad
- Midland Trail Elementary School, 200 Ferry St., Belle
- Pratt Elementary School, 201 Pratt Ave., Pratt
- Riverside High School, 1 Warrior Way, Belle
- Sharon Dawes Elementary School, 5118 Cabin Creek Road, Miami
Meanwhile, Kanawha County officials are asking residents who sustained property damage during the flooding to complete the West Virginia Emergency Management Division Weather Damage Survey.
County officials stressed that completing the survey is not an application for financial assistance. The information will instead be used to document and assess the overall impact of the flooding.
If financial or other disaster assistance becomes available, county officials said Kanawha County residents will be notified.
