The Power of Water - 2016 WV Flood

12/1/2016 (Permalink)

Water recedes but left behind mud and debris for removal

The power of water can be immense. 

On June 23, 2016 West Virginia witnessed this power. We experienced a destructive Flash Food brought on by over 9 inches of rain in a 12 to 18 hour period. This weather episode has been dubbed a "Once in a 1000 Year Flood" and an "Exceptional Meteorological" event.

44 of our 55 counties were placed under a State of Emergency because the normally tranquil rivers turning into violent water.

What did we experience?

• Property Damage was enormous - Homes & Businesses damaged or disappeared.
• Whole Towns inundated.
• Multiple bridges and roads washed out shutting down over 60 roads.
• Lives and Livelihoods destroyed.  

Most importantly we experienced:

• People coming together to help out one another.
• West Virginians did not sit around and wait for help, we put on our boots and gloves and started the clean-up process as soon as the water receded. 
• We observed an outpouring of human kindness from total strangers.

As devastating as this event has been we hope that when people reflect back to this Storm, they remember the good experiences too.