With power outages come more issues for Southern WV
October 30, 2012 ·
Emergency officials are asking some residents in Southern West Virginia to conserve water.
The Raleigh County Public Service District is working to get 4 generators to support water systems in parts of the county. Without electricity areas of Coal City, Sycamore, or Clear Creek could run out.
Director of Wyoming County Emergency Services is asking residents in Oceana to use water sparingly as well. The public service district in the Wyoming County town does not have a back-up generator and is currently without power.
Meadows says he requested a generator from the state and is waiting to hear back.
Wyoming county opened a fourth shelter at the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department. Shelters should only be used if you have no heat or no food. Meadows says in Wyoming County the biggest concern remains finding out the needs of residents.
He says the heavy snow is breaking phone lines along with power lines faster than they can keep track of while more than 90 percent of the homes in the county are without power. Shelters remain open in Oceana at City Hall, in Pineville at Cook Memorial Baptist Church, and in Mullens at the Opportunity Council.
As of 4 o’clock Tuesday, Huff Mountain on Rt 10 between Oceana and Logan is impassible and therefore closed.
In Raleigh county shelters were opened yesterday for residents in the Beckley area; one at the Beckley Dream Center, another at the Raleigh County Community Action while the Commission on Aging has been designated an area for residents to get help with oxygen. Raleigh Emergency officials say they are in the process of opening other shelters in Trap Hill, Coal City, and the Shady Spring areas.
Dispatchers in Boone County say they are opening more shelters after fielding several calls Tuesday afternoon. Boone County residents in need can find shelter in Rock Creek at the Fountain of Life Church, Madison Memorial Building, Racine Volunteer Fire department, Morrisville Community Center, the Warton Barrett Community Center, and the Orgath Community Center.
Dispatchers are reminding residents to call 911 ONLY in the event of a true emergency.
Emergency officials are reminding residents to remember their pets as they weather the storm as well. Make sure their water dish is not frozen and suggest bringing the pets inside or giving them a warm blanket.