Published: July 22, 2008 10:58 pm      

Severe thunderstorm strikes the region

Numerous power outrages, downed trees and lines are reported

A severe thunderstorm ripped through southern West Virginia Tuesday night, downing trees and power lines and knocking out power to several residents.

As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Raleigh and Fayette counties appeared to be the hardest hit.

Downed trees and power lines and power outages were reported all over Fayette County Tuesday night, according to the Fayette County Emergency Operations Center. The hardest-hit area of that county appeared to be the Valley District — the Montgomery and Gauley Bridge vicinities.

“I called the power company, and if their office in Putnam County is too busy, they send you to Virginia,” a Fayette County 911 dispatcher said. “It was so bad, they had me talking to a woman in Louisiana.”

In Raleigh County, power outages due to more downed trees and power lines were reported in the Stanaford and Lanark areas, that county’s emergency operations center said. More downed trees and lines blocked roadways in Crab Orchard and Clear Fork.

Other counties reported little to no damage. The Wyoming County Emergency Operations Center reported downed trees in Hanover and Glen Fork. Nicholas County dispatchers only reported minor storm damage and power outages.

Authorities in Summers, Greenbrier and Monroe counties, meanwhile, were preparing for the storm to possibly strike them.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com