Pine Creek-Hur Area Hit Hard

The state Department of Agriculture said yesterday 50,000 acres of forest land was damaged by the recent ice storm in Calhoun County. The figures were released after an aerial survey was done of thirteen counties.

Trees were uprooted, split, limbs detached and tops ripped off. Hardwoods and pines were mostly susceptible, although in certain areas of Calhoun almost every tree was damaged.

Forestry officials say the storm is a setback for timbering and timber owners, maybe for years to come.

Downed trees and branches will provide significant fuel for forest fires in years to come.

The total for West Virginia was about 300,000 acres.

Only Mason and Jackson County had more tree damage.

Mason County was hardest hit by the February 16th storm with nearly 83,000 acres of forests damaged. Jackson County had nearly 58,000 acres damaged.

Roane followed Calhoun with more than 47,000 acres.

Braxton 27,000

Gilmer 18,000

Clay 13,000

Nicholas 8,400

Wirt 7,800

Webster 3,000

Putnam 673

Wood 99