CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Gov. Patrick Morrissey mobilized Soldiers and Airmen of the West Virginia National Guard after severe flash flooding in West Virginia’s Ohio and Marion counties that began June 14.
The mobilization resulted in troops and equipment on the ground June 16. About 80 West Virginia Army and Air National Guard members have been activated, with about 50 additional personnel anticipated to be on duty by the end of the day June 18.
“The local effort has been incredible,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, adjutant general for the West Virginia National Guard.
Seward toured the affected area twice on June 17, meeting community members and visiting Soldiers and Airmen on flood response.
“My heart goes out to all those who are reeling from this weekend’s devastation,” said Seward, who also traveled June 15 to affected areas with Morrisey. “I’ve seen first-hand the tragedy and loss in these communities and the ripple effects it has across the state and throughout our friends and families.”
First responders and state and local officials have been coordinating since before the flood waters crested the night of June 14.
“Teamwork accomplishes greatness,” Seward said. “I heard today from the county Emergency Management Agency that the governor’s office and state agencies were providing everything the county needs and more.”
Seward is confident in the West Virginia National Guard’s role as part of the interagency, intergovernmental and public-private team that will push toward recovery.
“The West Virginia National Guard is ‘Always Ready in the Homeland,’” he said.
“Today, our war fighters are serving their communities here at home,” Seward said. “They thought they would be at work at their regular jobs, carrying on with everyday life. When disaster hit, however, they rearranged everything, grabbed their pack and hit the road.”
Seward thanked Guard members’ families for doing the heavy lifting at home and employers who support the Guard members in this service.
Soldiers of the 115th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, 119th Engineer Company (Sapper), 601st Engineer Support Company and 863rd Military Police Company are assisting local emergency management agencies, first responders and public works personnel in conducting debris and traffic management duties along with public liaison missions.
The West Virginia National Guard also has set up a Forward Operational Headquarters in Moundsville and added staff at the Rock Branch Warehouse in Poca, West Virginia.
Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Ohio County and Marion counties June 15 and immediately mobilized state resources to assist.
Flash flooding began late in the evening June 14 in Ohio County, with roughly 3-4 inches of rain falling in the area in a short period. Flash flooding then continued during the day June 15 in Marion County, with up to 3 inches of rain in Fairmont alone in a short period.
As of 4 p.m., June 17, there are seven confirmed fatalities and at least two missing people. State officials have been working with local emergency responders to locate missing people as quickly as possible.
No stranger to activating for flood response, West Virginia National Guard service members and equipment stay ready to rapidly deploy at the governor’s direction to support a multitude of operations and support missions. These missions can include high-water search and rescue, debris management and removal, operational assessments, route clearance and essential supply distribution.
The West Virginia National Guard closely coordinated with numerous partner organizations, including the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Division, county Offices of Emergency Management, the West Virginia State Police, the Department of Transportation and local non-governmental and volunteer organizations. This integrated, whole-of-government approach maximized the impact of available resources and ensured a swift and effective response.