By Courtney D. Clark
Register-Herald Reporter
— Gov. Joe Manchin on Friday authorized the West Virginia National Guard as a precaution to potential flooding this weekend.
Manchin also declared a state of emergency for 34 counties due to anticipated flooding caused by rainfall and snowmelt.
The state of emergency is in effect for the following counties: Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, Cabell, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Summers, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Webster, Wetzel and Wood.
The declaration will remain in effect until April 11, unless extended or rescinded by further proclamation by the governor.
With flood warnings now issued locally for Nicholas, Pocahontas, Webster, Greenbrier, Summers and Monroe counties, the governor is encouraging residents to be vigilant as the temperature rises, snow melts and rain comes.
“The safety of West Virginians is always my No. 1 priority,” he said.
“We encourage all residents to watch local weather reports and those living near waterways or in flood-prone areas to use good common sense and be prepared,” he added, “just in case flooding becomes a problem.”
According to Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, Va., the Greenbrier flood warning is for the Greenbrier River in Alderson as well as the county itself.
“We expect the Greenbrier will go above flood stage by Saturday evening and peak Sunday morning,” Chenard said Friday.
Flood stage is 14 feet. Chenard says the Greenbrier River is expected to reach 17.5 feet by Sunday.
Although water levels are running high, Greenbrier County authorities say they are prepared for what may or may not come in the county.
Al Whitaker, director of emergency management, says several shelters are on standby and officials will continue to monitor water levels today and Sunday.
“We send out notices to the residents through TV, Nixle and Facebook,” Whitaker said, “really just anyway we can get it out there.
“But today, we’re just watching the water,” he continued. “That’s pretty much all we can do right now.”
Kevin McGrath, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, says a flood warning will remain in effect until 7 p.m. today in Nicholas County.
“We called that one pretty far out in advance because of the snowpack,” McGrath said.
“With showers moving in and falling down on top of the snowpack, the rivers come up pretty quickly.”
He said Nicholas County could see some pretty rapid rises once the precipitation starts falling.
Meanwhile, National Guard members will be stationed in areas where flooding is likely to occur, but Jimmy Gianato, director of the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, says those in flood-prone areas should take extra precautions, like making an emergency kit with basic supplies.
He also reminds motorists to never drive through standing water, no matter how deep, and cautions citizens to make sure storm drains around homes are free of debris.
For more information about emergency kits, what to do before, during and after a disaster and how to create an emergency plan, visit www.ready.wv.gov.
— E-mail: cclark@registerherald.com
