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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor Jim Justice declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties in connection with what his administration called the “growing threat” of flash floods and severe storms caused by what remains of Hurricane Ida.
Ida, now a tropical low, is expected to dump several inches of rain over West Virginia from Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening. The entire state is under lightning surveillance until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
A state of emergency allows coordination between state agencies, including pre-positioning.
“All West Virginia absolutely needs to be prepared to deal with the potential impact Ida could have on our state,” Justice said in a press release. “West Virginia should pay special attention to emergency officials and the media. And please: don’t put yourself, your loved ones, or our first responders at risk by trying to cross the flood waters. “
2 to 4 inches of rain is possible with up to 6 inches in some places. This amount of rain could cause streams and streams to overflow.
Senior leaders of the @WVNational Guard participate in a conference call with @WVGovernor Jim Justice braces for potential impacts from now on Tropical Depression #IdaWV as it crosses the Mountain State later today and tomorrow. Your guard is #AlwaysReadyAlways There. pic.twitter.com/iP6I4qO6zI
– WV National Guard (@WVNationalGuard) August 31, 2021
Meteorologists have their eyes on the Little Kanawha River, which received rain before the Ida event. The National Weather Service predicts the Little Kanawha River will rise to 37 feet, just above flood level, by Wednesday afternoon. This level could cause flooding in Grantsville.
Kanawha County emergency officials were monitoring possible flooding along the Pocatalico River in northern Kanawha County.
Rain pockets of up to three inches or more are expected for an area along US Highway 50 from Parkersburg to Clarksburg.
The governor’s office has released the following information on preparation by state agencies:
West Virginia National Guard:
“We are currently in the process of planning and bringing on line additional personnel, equipment and assets that are typically in high demand during flooding,” said Lt. Col. Walter “Wally” Hatfield, director of operations. “As Ida represents a statewide risk, we are working closely with the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to build a whole-of-government response. In coordination with the State Emergency Operations Center, several Community Assistance Teams and Guard Staff Liaison Teams are strategically positioned throughout the State to take a proactive posture in providing assistance to local communities on a daily basis. as quickly as possible if we are called upon to do so. “
“Gov. Justice initially authorized state active duty status for up to 60 guards, and we are ready to activate as many as needed if conditions deteriorate rapidly, ”Hatfield said. “Our top priority is always the safety and survival of our compatriots in West Virginia, and we will do our utmost to meet any challenges Mother Nature may throw at us within the next 72 to 96 hours.”
West Virginia Division of Emergency Management:
Emergency management staff will operate the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in 12-hour shifts, with coordinating agencies on standby. SEOC will monitor nightly updates, including weather forecasts as well as river and stream level reports, and forward any alerts to SEOC.
EMD also runs twice-daily virtual briefings with the National Weather Service for county and local emergency agencies statewide. These briefings provide the latest Ida forecasts and operational updates, among other information.
EMD has been in contact with all emergency management agencies in the county, no unmet needs or requests for resources have been reported at this time.
West Virginia Highways Division:
District engineers and district directors from the 10 districts of the West Virginia Highways Division (DOH) met with county administrators from their districts to brief them and ensure all counties are prepared to deal with the heavy rainfall.
Employees will be on standby 24 hours a day for the duration of the weather event. Standard DOH storm protocols are to ensure all equipment and vehicles are gas-filled and ready to go and stored out of low-lying areas. Road districts also have fuel reserves to power West Virginia National Guard vehicles and equipment should the Guard be mobilized to respond to a flood.
The DOH pays close attention to weather reports and stands ready to deal with any emergency that may arise.
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