Governor Justice declared a state of emergency for Kanawha, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, and Roane counties due to heavy rainfall that is causing flooding.
The floodwaters have damaged homes, roads, and bridges. The West Virginia National Guard has been activated.
“Anything we can get to we’re out cleaning up to keep roads open,” said Kathy Rushworth, P.E., District 1 Maintenance Engineer. “It’s just a freak of nature that this happened two days in a row.”
The West Virginia Division of Highways is in the process of repairing bridges and roads throughout District One after floodwaters lifted wood off of steel bridge beams and left debris scattered on roads.
A mudslide also closed the right lane of the Turnpike near Cheylan.
“We will have as many people out as necessary to get these roads open,” said Arlie Matney, WVDOH District 1 Manager. “We would ask that people be patient with us. We will have someone there around the clock to make necessary repairs. Be safe traveling in this bad weather.”
The DOH is reminding drivers to never drive through high flood waters.
