Upshur County is under a flood watch through Friday morning as repeated storms threaten heavy rain and flash flooding. Tuesday poses the greatest risk, exactly three weeks after deadly flooding devastated the region.
FEMA staff will soon visit Upshur County to help July flood victims apply for federal aid. Assistance may include housing grants, home repairs and loans, with details on timing and locations still pending.
Color Bar 51 will permanently close after the July 21 flooding caused extensive damage to the salon. They are the third Upshur County business to announce a permanent closure related to the flooding, joining the Hillbilly Grill and Smoker Friendly.
President Donald Trump agreed Monday to release $4.5 million for homeowners and renters affected by the July 21 flooding. A formal FEMA disaster declaration has not been issued yet, and details on eligibility and applications are forthcoming, according to local officials.
Nearly two weeks after the July 21 flooding, officials are asking Upshur County residents to report any debris the National Guard has missed. In-person Red Cross casework for financial assistance ends Monday, and donated supplies have moved to Weston.
The Hillbilly Grill and Smoker Friendly’s Buckhannon and Weston stores will permanently close after devastating July 21 flooding. The longtime businesses thanked customers and employees for decades of friendship and support.
Flood survivors can apply for Red Cross financial aid in person through Saturday at West Virginia Wesleyan College’s library. Local Rotary and United Way relief funds are also collecting donations and working to determine how residents can request help.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey is calling for construction volunteers as flood recovery in Upshur and Lewis counties shifts toward rebuilding. State crews have removed nearly 6,000 tons of debris, and residents are urged to report damage to help secure federal aid.
Upshur County’s flood donation center has released an updated list of urgently needed items, from mailboxes and shop vacs to large diapers, while many other supplies remain at maximum capacity. The site is reducing its hours to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Wednesday.
Upshur County enters its second week of flood recovery with debris pickup continuing until work is complete. Supplies, meals, health care, counseling and volunteer help remain available, and residents are urged to report property damage.
