Water sweeps down West Fork to Arnoldsburg
Log floats by gas pumps at Y Mart
High water from the West Fork of the Little Kanawha covered at least half of the
Village of Arnoldsburg yesterday, causing damage to houses and other
property.
Some residents say it is a flood of record.
No injuries have been reported, according to Calhoun's 911 center.
Up and down the West Fork valley from Stinson to Richardson, the river blocked
roadways and in many places was hill-to-hill.
Property damage will run into the thousands of dollars.
Routes 16-33-119 were closed by water much of the day, but the stream receded
by 9 p.m., opening the main roads.
Emergency workers expressed frustration when several drivers insisted on driving
through the swollen waters, several of which had to be pulled out.
Sheriff Allen Parsons, Chief Deputy Carl Ballengee and Trooper Doug Starcher
responded to the flood area to give assistance.
Routes 33-119-16 closed to traffic part of day
Water surrounds Y Restaurant, enters establishment
Parson's family waits for water to recede
Truck lodged in water near "Y" intersection
Water rises to record levels at Arnoldsburg intersection
Sources at Arnoldsburg's Speedy Mart said U. S. 33-119 was completely covered from Altizer
Road to the entrance ramp to Calhoun Banks. Water was over the Key Energy
complex in Arnoldsburg, and was around storage units located on the property. "It
was highest I've ever seen it here," said the clerk.
Esther Laughlin said "It is a really bad flood in Arnoldsburg," with about every
structure on the river side of Rt. 33-119 affected. Laughlin, a cook at Arnoldsburg
Elementary School for 34 years, said the school building was surrounded by
water.
School administrator Donnie Pitts said employees and volunteers used sand bags
and plywood inside the building earlier Wednesday to try and minimize damage.
"We had a little time to prepare," said Pitts. "We thought we'd give it a try to keep
some really muddy water out of the building."
Pitts said water has been in the school only three times. He said all the school's
custodians will be there this morning to work on the building.
"Water was higher than ever with lots of pressure," said Mrs. Paul Parsons, who
with her husband owns the Y-Mart convenience store.
This flood was three or four inches higher than the record, she said. Water was
lodged several feet high against the building, which Parsons seals tightly.
"The pressure was so great that it blew the Styrofoam sealant off the cracks," said
Parsons. Water did cover the floor but it did not disturb the merchandise. "The
basement was completely filled, about everything destroyed, including the
furnace," she said.
Water entered the Y Restaurant, although the floor had been raised since the 1997
flood. Employees said the building was completely surrounded by water by late
afternoon.
"Water was at the top of the garage doors owned by Bernard McKown," according
to Arnoldsburg resident Connie Downs. "This one has been worse than usual. Clyde
and Susie Knotts' house was hit hard and water was around Amy Downs' old
place," she said.
Ken Berdine's garage on Route 16 at the mouth of Crummies Creek was filled with
water. Berdine's neighbors were removing several of his antique vehicles from the
building in mid-afternoon.
Dozens of houses and buildings up and down the West Fork River Valley received
flood water.
The Arnoldsburg Volunteer Fire Department provided assistance to several families
throughout the day.
Calhoun's EMS Station at Minnora was cut off on both sides, but they were able to
respond to a call about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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