WV News Report
CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. – A team of West Virginia coal miners are receiving national attention after they traveled to North Carolina to help rebuild a road washed out by Hurricane Helene.
The miners, employed by Alpha Metallurgical Resources, spent the week in Chimney Rock working to restore a passable route after severe storm damage. Using various types of heavy equipment, the crew constructed a temporary drivable road and cleared debris from the area.
Alpha Metallurgical Resources CEO Andy Eidson said A&P donated additional equipment and manpower to support the project.
Among the West Virginia workers on site were Charles Dunbar, Darrell McCune, Jimmy Wood, Stephen Boone, Jeff Barnhouse from Rock Solid Construction, Ben Harris, Derek Butler, Bobby Thomas, and Jon Campbell.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) praised the West Virginia coal miners who helped restore access to a 2.7-mile stretch of highway near Chimney Rock, North Carolina.
“West Virginia’s coal miners are the most heroic and patriotic men and women I have ever met in my life, and the fact that several of them voluntarily went to North Carolina to help restore access to a road destroyed by Hurricane Helene is proof of just that. This is a perfect example of the Appalachian tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.
