Schools are closed today in Mingo and Pike counties, while residents and crews from several agencies clean up debris from flooding which reached hundreds of homes.
Gov. Joe Manchin has ordered the activation of 300 National Guard members to assist with the flood recovery efforts across southwestern West Virginia. The crews have set up a staging area at the National Guard Armory in Williamson. They will be passing out water and cleaning supplies to flood victims, and helping assess damages.
Shelters are set up in Mingo at the Delbarton, Gilbert, Matewan and Williamson volunteer fire departments.
Assisting the Mingo County Red Cross, the Morgantown Red Cross officials are volunteering their services and workers in the Central West Virginia chapter are donating emergency supplies.
The Central West Virginia chapter reported Sunday a shelter had been set up at the Freedom Gospel Church in Gilbert, and the organization will be providing bulk distribution of food, water, bleach, and other clean up items at the Larry Joe Harless Community Center. A Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle is distributing Heater Meals throughout neighborhoods in the Gilbert vicinity, and ordered 6,000 more to be distributed throughout Mingo County.
Eight Red Cross Disaster Assessment teams are currently surveying damage in the Gilbert vicinity, the central chapter reported.
Also, the miners trapped at Ben Creek Mine in Gilbert on Friday, were rescued Sunday in time for Mother's Day.
The Daily News is working on an assessment of flood damages countywide, as well as recovery efforts and where to find shelter and emergency supplies. We will be delivering them to you later today.