CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties Tuesday following another round of severe storms and flooding across the state.
The declaration follows storms that moved through West Virginia from Aug. 16 through Aug. 18, bringing excessive rainfall, flash flooding, mudslides and damaging winds. Water rescues were also reported in communities across the state.
“West Virginians have been hit by another round of severe weather at a time when many communities are still recovering from last month’s storms,” said Governor Morrisey. “This declaration gives our emergency responders, state agencies, and local officials the flexibility they need to move quickly, get resources where they are needed, and help communities recover from the damage.”
According to the governor’s office, slow-moving storm systems dumped heavy rainfall on numerous communities, with some localized areas receiving near-record amounts in a matter of hours.
The rainfall triggered rapid flash flooding and mudslides and caused significant damage to homes, businesses, public infrastructure and essential services.
The new State of Emergency covers all 55 counties and will remain in effect for 30 days unless it is ended earlier. The declaration allows state and local agencies to coordinate and deploy personnel, equipment and other resources for emergency response and relief efforts.
The declaration is separate from the State of Emergency issued after severe storms and flooding that began July 21.
Morrisey declared a statewide State of Emergency following that event on July 21. Last week, he extended that declaration through Sept. 19 for Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Pendleton, Pleasants, Randolph, Ritchie, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur and Wetzel counties, where recovery efforts remain underway.
Under the latest declaration, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division and other state agencies will continue working with local and federal partners to assess damage and provide assistance to affected communities.
“We have crews and emergency responders working across the state, and we are going to make sure they have what they need to do their jobs,” said Governor Morrisey. “We will continue working with our local partners to assess the damage and help West Virginians recover.”
