WIRT COUNTY SLOWLY REBOUNDING

(07/06/2012)
The smallest populated county in West Virginia is rebounding from major storm problems that have struck the region.

Not unlike Calhoun, nearly half of the county has been without power this week.

County Office of Emergency Services Director Bo Wriston says power, water and ice are the big problems, with residents in the outlying area having no water service.

"Because if folks are on well water and if you don't have electric to pump the water from their wells they are without," Wriston said.

Wriston said the West Virginia National Guard is providing assistance. He says Guard members are delivering water, doing welfare checks on residents and spreading important information.

Wriston says he's hopeful all power is restored by Sunday. He says the increasing heat is beginning to take its toll.

"You add in no power and 100-plus degree heat and a little bit of humidity in the air, it gets steamy, it gets hot, as temperatures rise so do the tempers," he concluded.