Latest flood updates: Supply pickup, debris removal, vaccine clinics and more

BUCKHANNON — As the weekend begins, city and county officials are working to centralize flood-relief efforts. West Virginia Wesleyan College is serving as the central location for supply donations and pickup, while the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management is coordinating volunteer labor and other assistance.

Businesses, churches and nonprofit organizations continue to offer separate relief services across the area, and those listings remain below. Officials are asking donors and volunteers to work through the centralized hubs so resources can be directed where they are needed.

Residents and business owners with flood damage are also urged to complete the state’s damage survey. A complete, centralized record of local losses could affect the amount of FEMA relief available to the area.

Put flood debris at the curb immediately for National Guard collection

Officials from the City of Buckhannon, Upshur County Commission and Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management are strongly urging residents to place all flood-damaged debris and household items at the curb immediately.

Do not wait: West Virginia Army National Guard units can continue coordinated pickup only while debris remains ready for collection. Getting materials to the curb now will help speed the countywide cleanup and support families affected by the flooding.

Place items at the edge of the right-of-way without blocking roads, sidewalks or drainage paths. Guard units are moving systematically through affected neighborhoods. Some areas may remain difficult to reach until conditions improve, but residents should stage debris now so it is ready when crews arrive.

Free meals available Sunday through Friday

Traveling Dawgz will provide free meals beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 26, in the Tractor Supply Co. parking lot.

First United Methodist Church in Buckhannon will serve a Micah Meal at noon Sunday. The menu includes chicken, baked beans, macaroni salad and desserts.

Chapel Hill United Methodist Church will serve meals from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 27, Wednesday, July 29 and Friday, July 31.

Drinking water available at Wesleyan, Ellamore and Ten Mile

Residents affected by the flooding may pick up essential relief supplies at the Auxiliary Gymnasium on the West Virginia Wesleyan College campus. Supplies are available daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and residents should use the designated parking and entrance at 151 Cebe Ross Drive in Buckhannon.

The Wesleyan site has ample drinking water available. Pallets of water also were delivered Saturday morning to the Ellamore Volunteer Fire Department, and additional water was delivered to the community building at Ten Mile for residents in rural areas of Upshur County.

Officials said donors should not bring additional drinking water at this time. The items most needed now are:

• Laundry detergent
• Extension cords
• Pet food
• Cat litter
• Box fans
• Fresh fruit
• Bread
• Jelly
• Peanut butter
• Contractor trash bags

Residents making regular donations should use the oval by the fountain in front of the chapel, accessible from Camden Avenue. Large or commercial-size loads should be delivered through the parking lot at 151 Cebe Ross Drive, closest to the Auxiliary Gymnasium.

All donated resources, volunteer offers and other assistance must be coordinated through the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management at (304) 472-4983.

Community Care offers free walk-in tetanus shots

Community Care of West Virginia is offering free tetanus shots at all of its locations with no appointment needed. The shots are available to residents, first responders and volunteers working in flood zones.

A list of clinics is available at ccwv.org/locations. Community Care is also collecting cleanup supplies at its Bridgeport and Flatwoods locations but cannot accept bleach. The full Community Care brief includes the requested items and drop-off hours.

Fill out the state damage survey to help secure recovery aid

Upshur County is urging everyone affected by this week’s storms and flooding to fill out a state damage survey, which officials said will help West Virginia make a strong case for financial assistance to help residents recover. The county asked people to share it widely with friends, family and neighbors, saying the more responses that come in, the better.

The survey is available at arcg.is/0LLOOG.

Chamber shares flood-recovery checklist for businesses

The Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce is urging flood-affected business owners to wait until officials declare an area safe before entering a building. Owners should watch for structural damage, electrical hazards, gas leaks, contaminated water and unstable structures, contact utility providers before restoring power when safety is uncertain and use protective equipment during cleanup.

Before cleanup begins, owners should photograph and record all damage, inventory damaged equipment and supplies, save receipts and repair records and contact their insurance company. The Chamber also encouraged businesses to keep customers and employees informed about closures, available services, schedules and reopening plans.

Business recovery contacts provided by the Chamber include:

• West Virginia Emergency Management Division for state updates and recovery programs: (304) 558-5380
• FEMA for assistance that may become available under a federal disaster declaration: (800) 621-3362
• U.S. Small Business Administration’s Clarksburg office for low-interest disaster loans: (304) 623-5631
• IRS Bridgeport office for applicable disaster-related tax relief: (844) 545-5640
• West Virginia Small Business Development Center for free advising and recovery planning through Lyla Grandstaff: (681) 467-3250
• Region VII Planning & Development Council for regional business-assistance resources: (304) 472-6564

DAV representatives available for veterans with flood damage

DAV representatives will be at American Legion Post 7, 16 S. Kanawha St. in Buckhannon, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 25; no ending time was provided.

Veterans seeking assistance with flood damage should bring their DD 214 and photographs of the damage.

Sheriff warns of flood-related insurance and fundraising scams

The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about callers using blocked or unknown numbers who claim to represent insurance companies and request personal information about flood damage or insurance claims.

Residents should not provide personal, financial or insurance information to unexpected callers. Anyone who needs to contact an insurance company should call the number listed on their insurance card or policy documents.

The Sheriff’s Office also warned that fake GoFundMe pages and other fraudulent fundraising sites may appear after natural disasters. Donors should verify that a fundraiser is legitimate before contributing and report suspected fraud to the Sheriff’s Office.

Sign up for emergency text alerts

The Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said it will use a text-alert system to share more information about recovery efforts, donation drives and other flood updates, as well as warnings ahead of future severe weather or other emergencies. The department has partnered with Nixle to run a community notification system that sends residents real-time alerts about local emergencies and community advisories.

Residents can sign up by texting their ZIP code to 888777 from a mobile phone.

Officials urged residents to rely on updates from the City of Buckhannon, Upshur County Commission, Upshur County DHSEM and Upshur County 911. Residents should verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent an agency or relief organization before sharing information or making commitments.

WV Health Right offers replacement medication assistance

WV Health Right Free Clinic/WVRX is providing a one-month supply of medications to residents in Lewis, Pleasants and Upshur counties who lost essential medications or diabetic supplies in the flooding, regardless of income or insurance status.

Residents should call the clinical manager at (304) 414-5922 with their medication list. Staff will work to have prescriptions authorized by the resident’s doctor’s office or transferred from their regular pharmacy.

Boil-water advisories and updates for local water systems

• The Mt. Hope Water Association has issued a boil-water advisory until further notice for customers in Queens, Tenmile, Democrat Ridge, Kedron Road, Weber City Road and part of Tallmansville Road past Tallmansville Baptist Church.
• Adrian PSD has lifted its boil-water advisory.
• Elkins Road PSD has issued a systemwide boil-water advisory as a precaution because of flooding. Upshur County DHSEM said it will provide an update when the advisory is lifted.

How to help

Several volunteer groups are working in homes across flood-affected neighborhoods. Residents who need help this weekend should call the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management at (304) 472-4983. The office will work to connect callers with a volunteer group.

Volunteers who want to help with cleanup efforts should check in with the Buckhannon Fire Department or the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management.

Emergency officials asked volunteers and organizations to coordinate before donating or heading to affected areas. Uncoordinated efforts can create safety hazards, add to traffic congestion and complicate the response.

“Individuals, volunteer groups and organizations wishing to provide assistance or make donations are asked to first coordinate with the Upshur County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management so resources can be directed where they are most needed and safely integrated into response operations,” the department said.

WV UMC Disaster Response seeks weekend muck-out volunteers

WV UMC Disaster Response is organizing muck-out work in Buckhannon from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

To sign up or ask questions, text Jim McCune at (304) 813-1274; the number is text-only. Volunteers may also email DRM@wvumc.org.

Kaitlin & Co. to have water and essential supplies Saturday

Kaitlin & Co. will have cases of water, Clorox wipes, toilet paper and other essential supplies available Saturday while supplies last at its store, 33 East Main St. in Buckhannon.

Jimbo’s Place offers flood-relief supplies through Sunday

Jimbo’s Place has flood-relief supplies available for pickup from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through Sunday night at 6 N. Kanawha St. in Buckhannon.

Upshur Parish House offers flood-relief services Saturday

The Upshur Parish House will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25. It will provide flood relief kits, hot meals and food pantry services to people affected by the flooding.

The Parish House is at 68 College Ave. It is also collecting donations to assemble flood relief kits. Requested items include:

• Disinfectant cleaner
• Laundry soap
• Dish soap
• Heavy-duty gloves (kitchen gloves)
• Sponges or scrub brushes
• Heavy-duty trash bags
• Five-gallon buckets

Monetary donations can be made at givebutter.com/parishhouse under “greatest need.”

United Way opens Lewis/Upshur flood relief fund

The West Virginia United Ways have established the Lewis/Upshur Flood Relief Fund to provide direct assistance to individuals and families affected by the flooding, the Tygart Valley United Way said. The organization said 100% of donations will go directly to support those affected, helping with immediate needs and long-term recovery.

Donations can be made at secure.qgiv.com/for/lewisupshurfloodfund.

Walmart offers water, cleaning supplies, meals, showers and laundry Saturday

Walmart said community support resources will be available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at Walmart Supercenter #2809, 100 Buckhannon Crossroads in Buckhannon.

Resources include two truckloads of bottled water, cleaning supplies, free meals, free showers and free access to washers and dryers for laundry. Additional assistance and resources will also be available.

Donation drive for storm-hit families

WV Second Chance Moving is collecting donations for families affected by the flooding in Upshur and Lewis counties, including bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, candles, toiletries, baby supplies, pet food and other essentials. To arrange a drop-off or pickup, contact Jeff at (304) 945-5199.

Jenkins Automotive flood relief donation drive

Jenkins Automotive is collecting flood-relief donations for Buckhannon and Upshur County, including bottled water, non-perishable food, cleaning and hygiene supplies, paper products, baby supplies, blankets and pillows, pet supplies, and work gloves and safety gear. Donations can be dropped off at the service department at Jenkins Subaru Hyundai in Bridgeport. See the Jenkins Automotive flyer.

South Buckhannon Mission Church meal and donation hub

South Buckhannon Mission Church, 144 Randolph St., will resume offering free take-out meals for anyone in need beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 25. People can message the church to arrange donations of supplies. See the South Buckhannon Mission Church flyer.

Flooded farms may be eligible for USDA assistance

Farmers and other agricultural producers whose operations were affected by the recent flooding should contact their local USDA Service Center to ask about available Farm Service Agency programs and disaster assistance, according to the Upshur County Extension Office.

The office for Upshur County is the Weston USDA Service Center, 24 Gateway Drive, Weston, WV 26452. The phone number is (304) 269-8431.

USDA’s FSA office locator is available at fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator.

Flood-recovery resources available for artists and arts organizations

Cultural institutions, arts organizations, artists and performing groups affected by flooding can call the National Heritage Responders at (202) 661-8068 for advice about damaged collections. The hotline, staffed by trained conservators and collections-care professionals, is available 24 hours a day.

Members of the public and individual artists seeking help saving family heirlooms or personal collections may email NHRpublichelpline@culturalheritage.org. FEMA also offers guidance for saving family treasures damaged by flooding.

Those affected are also encouraged to complete the appropriate rapid damage assessment form:

• Cultural institutions
• Arts organizations
• Individual artists and performing groups

The West Virginia Department of Tourism’s Cultural Facilities and Capital Resources — Fast Track program provides up to $10,000 in emergency support to 501(c)(3) organizations, local governments and schools. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and more information is available on the West Virginia Culture Center’s arts grants page.

WVU Extension shares online flood recovery resources

WVU Extension has online resources covering flooded gardens and crops, livestock and forage, food safety during power outages and general flood recovery.

• Flood recovery tips for gardeners and farmers
• Forage and livestock management after a flood
• Food safety during power outages
• WVU Extension flooding resources

Residents beginning cleanup should wear appropriate protective equipment, avoid floodwater when possible and not consume food or produce that may have contacted floodwater unless it has been deemed safe.

How to report stream debris blockages

Residents affected by Tuesday’s flooding can report debris blockages in streams to their local conservation district, the West Virginia Conservation Agency said. For Barbour, Randolph, Taylor, Tucker and Upshur counties, the contact is the Tygarts Valley Conservation District at (304) 457-3026.

WVCA technicians are assessing debris and damage across the state, and some residents may be eligible for Emergency Watershed Protection assistance. Reports must be made by phone only. The office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays; callers outside those hours can leave a message with their name and a phone number where they can be reached during business hours.

Buckhannon Community Theatre weekend performances continuing

Buckhannon Community Theatre plans to proceed with its Saturday and Sunday performances. The theater will collect donations for flood relief throughout the weekend, with all proceeds benefiting the Upshur Parish House.

Jawbone Park activities canceled this weekend

All Jawbone Park activities previously scheduled for the remainder of this weekend are canceled, the City of Buckhannon said.

Create Buckhannon said it would donate to the Upshur Parish House and its Crosslines program to help with flood relief.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by flooding and our first responders and National Guard,” Create Buckhannon said.

City says water is safe

The city previously said its water and sanitation plants were safe and fully operational and the water was safe to drink and use for bathing.