Community Bulletin
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BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Sheriff said a person reported missing by family following last week’s devastating flooding has been found safe.
Sheriff Mike Coffman said they have a confirmed location for Billy Heater, who family members had been searching for since Tuesday’s storms. If you know of anyone still unaccounted for, it is essential you call 304-472-4983 as soon as possible so search and rescue teams can help, Coffman added.
This week, deputies continue to canvass the county, checking on residents, delivering supplies and preventing looting.
“Right now, we’re taking out supplies and checking on citizens in the hardest-hit areas. Our focus is making sure everybody’s doing well, so we’ve been making calls and making sure there’s no looting,” Coffman said. “We’re out in all areas; I want my guys to be visible and accessible to the public to help with their needs.”
Coffman said they are also trying to be cognizant of the fact that another potential storm system is approaching on Tuesday.
“You’re going to continue to see a very heavy law enforcement presence. We’re trying to see if the public needs anything or how we can provide any kind of assistance, but we’re also very mindful of this storm coming tomorrow,” Coffman said. “We’ll have every officer out, and I can assure the public that my office is working hand-in-hand with the West Virginia State Police, the Buckhannon City Police, and the Natural Resource Police. We have the same goal in mind, which is the safety of the citizens of Upshur County.”
Coffman said the community should also be aware there are police officers from out of the county helping with the recovery efforts.
“We’ve had colleagues from other counties working tirelessly with us, and through [memorandum-of-understanding] agreements statewide, they hold the same authority as my deputies. They’re out here trying to help and work right alongside all law enforcement, no matter what agency,” Coffman said. “I’m very thankful to have assistance from throughout the state. They came from all corners of the state, from McDowell to the eastern panhandle, the northern panhandle, as far as Ohio County and McDowell County.”
Coffman said there have also been reports of scam calls and emails, and he asked community members to be vigilant.
“Be careful, make sure you know who you’re talking to before you give out any kind of information, and be on heightened alert about that,” Coffman said. “Law enforcement and most agencies are not going to ask for your banking information or personal information over the phone.”
Coffman also confirmed Stoncoal Road will remain closed for most of the week, if not all week. He also said the phone lines at 911 for emergency and non-emergency calls have been back to normal operations since Sunday.
