By Nancy Peyton-Brown, Coal Valley News
MADISON, W.Va. — Many counties in the southern West Virginia coalfields were hit with a historic flooding event over the weekend. The National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for most of the area Saturday, Feb. 15 that extended late into the night and into the morning Sunday.
Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency in Boone, Lincoln, and Wayne Counties Sunday morning, adding them to the list of 10 counties where declarations were made Saturday evening – Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming Counties.
According to a release from his office, Morrisey has spoken to US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, who notified the Governor that DHS stands ready to take immediate action to offer resources and support West Virginians affected by flooding.