Community Bulletin
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BUCKHANNON — Nearly two weeks after floodwaters tore through Upshur County on July 21, local officials are making a last call for free debris removal.
The City of Buckhannon, Department of Highways and West Virginia Army National Guard are working through the piles stacked along county roads and city streets, and officials want to hear from anyone whose debris is still waiting at the curb.
“If your debris has not yet been collected — or if your location was accidentally missed — please let us know so arrangements can be made,” officials said in a recovery update.
Residents can request assistance online.
The appeal comes as the opening stretch of the recovery closes out. The countywide supply distribution site at Wesleyan shut down Sunday and the final debris hauls are coming soon.
Meanwhile, caseworkers with the American Red Cross have been meeting with residents whose homes were destroyed or suffered major damage in the July 21 flooding. Monday, August 3, is the last scheduled day to apply for that financial assistance in person.
Casework runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Virginia Wesleyan College Library, 59 College Avenue in Buckhannon. The Red Cross also listed the West Virginia State Fire Academy, 2600 Old Mill Road in Weston, as a service center for the same dates and hours.
“Residents should contact the American Red Cross as soon as possible to ensure timely processing and support,” said a July 31 update from city, county and state partners.
Proof of identity and residence is required — a state-issued ID and a current utility bill. Residents can also call 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule a time with a volunteer caseworker.
“The assistance can help meet the immediate disaster-caused needs of individuals and families,” the American Red Cross Central Appalachia Region said in a press release.
The organization conducted damage assessments after the storm to identify homes that were destroyed or received major damage and could be eligible for financial assistance. Nearly seventy Red Cross workers have been assisting in Central West Virginia.
Centralized supply distributions, meanwhile, have moved out of the county. The distribution center in the West Virginia Wesleyan College Auxiliary Gymnasium closed for good Sunday. Residents who still need household goods should go to the Lewis County Distribution Center at Market Place Plaza in Weston, which agreed to take the remaining Upshur County inventory.
That center is also where residents can now ask for help in person. A referral management trailer provided by Hope Gas and Miller Pipeline has been set up there, with staff processing assistance requests submitted in person and coordinating volunteer intake.
Requests can also be made through the online assistance form. Anyone who wants to pitch in can sign up to volunteer.
Officials used the weekend update to thank the crews doing the hauling, singling out the National Guard and the West Virginia Department of Highways, which assigned additional crews specifically for debris removal.
“Their hard work, dedication, and long hours have made an incredible difference in our recovery efforts,” the update said. “We are truly grateful for everything they have done for Upshur and Lewis counties.”
They also credited the City of Buckhannon, which has assigned all available departments to help with citywide debris removal and with transporting debris to the landfill in Bridgeport.
“Their teamwork and commitment have been essential to keeping operations moving efficiently and safely,” the update said.
Secure online contributions to the Rotary Club of Buckhannon Upshur Foundation Flood Relief Fund are now open. Donors can give by credit card, designate gifts for Upshur County flood recovery and get an immediate electronic receipt.
To support Red Cross disaster work, visit redcross.org/donate or text REDCROSS to 90999. Volunteers can sign up at redcross.org/volunteertoday.
Flood recovery tips are available at redcross.org/flood. For additional community resources, call 211.
