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Elizabeth, W.Va. - The following information is made available to the public in regards to current Response Efforts in Wirt County to recover from the storm system that impacted West Virginia on Friday, June 29, 2012.
Power:
1st Energy/Mon Power have multiple crews dispatched in Wirt County and are working aggressively to get power restored. Parts of Elizabeth and Two Run community up to Blue Goose have power, along with areas of Creston, Rt. 53 along Grieves Run and Higgins Road, however most of the county remains without. While main transmission lines are mostly repaired, local transformers and lines are still down in multiple areas, and will take time to individually repair before power is restored. According to the 1st Energy/Mon Power website, 49 % or 2,263 residences are still without power. 100% restoration for Wirt County should be completed by Midnight, July 8, 2012. 14 power trucks were reported entering the county this evening, in addition to those already here.
Water:
The Elizabeth Water Plant had full water capacity back early morning of July 4. However, a Boil Water Advisory is in effect until further notice. Claywood PSD customers have reported no interruption in their service. The primary water distribution point for the county is at the Wirt County Courthouse in Elizabeth. The primary distribution point is open from 12Noon to 9PM daily till the State of Emergency is lifted.
Two mobile units began outlying area distribution on July 4, traveling around the county to bring water directly to residents. The communities of Creston, Burning Springs, Munday and Brohard saw deliveries today, as well as Windy Ridge and Sanoma Road from Rt 53 to Blue Goose. July 5 will see this continue, with additional deliveries to RT 14 thru Two Run and across Enterprise Road to Palestine, and other routes. Two teams from the West Virginia National and Air National Guard along with members of the Elizabeth/Wirt Volunteer Fire Department are facilitating these residential deliveries of water, along with public information updates, and wellness checks.
One tractor-trailer with 26 pallets of water arrived this afternoon. Additional water supplies have been requested from the State and are currently being resourced.
Ice
11 palettes of ice arrived at approximately 1AM on July 4 from Louisiana and were dispatched to Crossroads Store, Dick's Market. Molly's Diner, the Wirt Café, Hill's Exxon and the Elizabeth/Wirt Volunteer Fire Department for distribution the morning of July 4. The supply was totally gone within 3 hours. We have placed additional requests for ice with the State, those requests have been approved, and we are now waiting for estimated times of delivery.
Spoiled foods
Two dumpsters specifically for spoiled food disposal have been placed at Sportsman's Park in Elizabeth, and at the Newark Christian Fellowship in Newark. These are for spoiled food ONLY, and not for debris. These dumpsters as of the evening of July 4 were full. We are awaiting Waste management to empty these dumpsters so that more spoiled food stock can be disposed of by residents.
Cooling station
Coplin Clinic has been established as a cooling clinic for Wirt County and will be open daily till 9PM until the State of Emergency is lifted. The Wirt County Courthouse and the Wirt County Senior Center will also serve as cooling stations.
Public information
In addition to calling the Sheriff's Office at (304) 275-4222 for general information or to report issues/needs, citizens can sign up for free information and warning alerts from the Wirt County Office of Emergency Services and Wirt County Sheriff's Office to their cell phone and or computers via text and/or email at www.nixle.com
Citizens may also follow the Wirt County Office of Emergency Services on Facebook and Twitter. Wirt County OES will continue to post press releases to local media including TV, radio, newspapers and on-line newspapers, as well as monitor and post to social media sites for accurate up to date information. Paper copies of this release will also be distributed along with water and ice to insure the widest possible dissemination of information.
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