TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Flash Flooding Hits Alderson Between   approximately   4:30   and   5:15   p.m.   on   Friday,   June   19,   2020   about   2.5   inches   of   water   fell   on Alderson   and   the   immediate   area.      This   flash   flooding   overwhelmed   the   drains;   flooded   the   streets;   and pooled   in   all   low   areas.      The   small   creek   on   the   Monroe   County   side   became   a   rushing   torrent   as   water collected from Dark Hollow and Flat Mountain. Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   declared   a   local   state   of   emergency   and   contacted   the   offices   of   Emergency Management   in   both   Greenbrier   and   Monroe   Counties   asking   them   to   request   a   similar   declaration through their County Commissions.  At   least   one   water   rescue   was   performed   by   the   Union   Volunteer   Fire   Department   while   the   Alderson Volunteer   Fire   Department   was   on   another   call.      However,   it   does   not   appear   that   there   is   a   need   to   open the Alderson Community Center as an emergency shelter. Early   assessments   indicate   that   at   least   25   homes   were   damaged   on   the   Monroe   County   side   of Alderson and assessment is on-going on the Greenbrier County side.  Jeff   Jones,   Director   of   the   Monroe   County   Office   of   Emergency   Services,   was   on   site   quickly   and   began checking on areas outside the town limits.  Mayor   Copenhaver   said,   “The   Department   of   Highways   crew   from   Monroe   County   has   been   outstanding in   dealing   with   the   mud   slide   near   the   front   gates   of   the   Federal   Prison   Camp.      In   fact,   all   the   local volunteer   fire   departments,   town   staff,   police,   and   many   others   have   stepped   up   to   help   get   a   handle   on this situation.  We are just grateful that there were no serious injuries.” Arrangements   have   already   been   made   for   the   National   Guard   to   pick   up   flood   damaged   items   from   the Monroe   County   side   of Alderson   in   the   next   few   days.      Flood   damaged   items   should   be   placed   at   the   curb.     Work is currently underway for a similar arrangement for the Greenbrier County side. By   8:30   p.m.   the   Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department   was   already   at   work   pumping   water   from   low   lying areas and basements. Photos from: Karen Richmond Wygal, Stacy Eskins, Margaret Hambrick, Brady Weikle, Tracy Allen and Town of Alderson  (Click photos for larger view)