Kanawha County officials began assessing property damage on Monday from widespread flash floods that affected communities across the county over the weekend.
Flooding began in some areas early Sunday morning. Residents in several upper Kanawha Valley communities, including Belle, Cabin Creek, Handley and Pratt, awoke to damaged properties and flooded roadways. Mudslides occurred along sections of Paint Creek, and a landslip temporarily closed the northbound lanes of Interstate 77 near Whittaker.
Additional rainfall Sunday night brought new emergency alerts and more flooding to parts of the metro region, including Charleston. Water rescues were reported along Garrison Ave., Rutledge Road, Greenbrier Street and other areas of the city, as well as Campbells Creek Drive.
Nearly 10,000 Appalachian Power customers remained without electrical service in the county on Monday afternoon.
With damage reported across multiple communities, county officials on Monday began asking residents to help document the extent of the flooding by completing the West Virginia Emergency Management Division’s Weather Damage Survey.
Information collected through the survey will help local and state emergency management officials assess the overall impact of the flooding and document damage throughout the county, officials said. Residents are asked to provide their address and, when possible, photographs showing damage caused by the flooding.
Officials said damage should be reported as soon as possible.
“Sunday’s flooding affected communities across Kanawha County, and we know many residents are still dealing with the aftermath,” Kanawha County Commissioner Natalie Tennant said. “It is important that we document as much of the damage as possible.”
Survey responses will help local and state leaders understand the extent of the damage caused by Sunday's flooding, officials noted in a release.
“We want to make sure we have an accurate picture of the damage caused by Sunday’s flooding,” Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said.
While the survey is not an application for financial assistance, officials said residents will be notified if financial assistance or other disaster assistance becomes available.
“Even if you are unsure whether your damage will qualify for assistance, we encourage residents to report it," Salango said. "Having accurate information about the extent of the damage is important as we work with state and emergency management officials to determine what assistance may be available.”
Anyone unable to complete the online survey may report their damage by contacting Kanawha County Planning and Development at 304-357-0570.
Additional assistance with completing the survey is available by calling 2-1-1 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Residents may also contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 for assistance.
