WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2009 -- The Mingo County OES hereby advises the citizens of Mingo County that a state of emergency exists in the county based upon flooding which occurred Saturday, May 9, 2009. The Mingo County Commission in emergency session issued a state of emergency declaration at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Gov. Joe Manchin has issued a similar declaration for the state of West Virginia which is being prepared to be forwarded to FEMA’s regional office then to President Barack Obama.

The federal declaration has not yet been approved, but it is clearly expected that Mingo County will be a part of the declaration by the end of this week. FEMA assessment teams were in Mingo County on Monday, May 11 to do a general assessment and the information has been forwarded to the agency’s regional office. Mingo County OES has already completed an assessment with regard to the number of homes and infrastructure damaged or destroyed. FEMA will not be looking at individual circumstances until a federal declaration is made. Please do not call FEMA at this time until the declaration is made by President Obama since they cannot legally respond. Once the federal declaration is made, the contact number will be 1-800 CALL FEMA. Specific instructions with regard to FEMA matters are set forth in this bulletin.

Emergency Contact Numbers

If you have a health-related emergency or know someone who is in need of immediate rescue (trapped in home), please call 9-1-1.

OES has surveyed the county and is aware of roadway and home damage.

Emergency Shelter Locations & Information

Varney Community Center will serve citizens of Varney and Delbarton areas. For information, call (304) 426-5070.

Matewan Town Hall will provide services for those living in the Matewan, Red Jacket, Meador and Beech Creek areas.

The Larry Joe Harless Center will serve the citizens of Stafford District area.

A new emergency shelter has been established at Kermit Town Hall.

The Red Cross shelter at the Freedom Full Gospel Church is now closed.

These area emergency centers have information pertaining to that specific area. Each center has been given emergency water supplies.

Shower and Shelter Access

Burch High School will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for people wanting to shower and needing shelter.

Looting/Trespassing

It has come to the attention to officials that incidents of looting and theft are increasing in the impacted areas. Such actions will NOT be tolerated and law enforcement officials will be issuing citations. The Mingo County Prosecutor advises that anyone who enters private property for the purpose of taking discarded items may face prosecution.

Kermit/Naugatuck Water Situation

No new information has been received. Updated information will be included in future bulletins as it is received.

National Guard

Twelve National Guard wellness teams continue to utilize Humvees to deliver food and water to inaccessible locations. If you need the services of one of these teams, please call (304) 235-8551.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has deployed various units to the flood-impacted areas. They will be providing meals to residents affected by the flooding. Two meals per day will provided at the following locations: Regional (Delbarton) Church of God; Hanover Fire Department; Baisden Fire Department; the Varney Community Center (also known as the old Varney Grade School); and the Creekwood Apartments in Newtown. These meals will be available until further notice, according to information provided by the Red Cross. Hot meals will also be served at the Larry Joe Harless Center. The Red Cross will also be distributing hot meals to outlying areas with mobile feeding vehicles through a cooperative effort with the Southern Baptist Convention.

Bulk distribution of heater meals, cleaning supplies, water and other items continue to be available at the Larry Joe Harless Center and Matewan Town Hall.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is providing services at the Larry Joe Harless Center in Gilbert.

Donations/Charitable Contributions

Union Mission has delivered two tractor trailers of relief to Mingo County citizens and has undertaken a joint project with WCHS-TV to provide additional relief supplies to Mingo County. WSAZ also has a relief project underway for Mingo County.

The Catholic Diocese is raising $25,000 for the citizens of the area. State OES officials are gathering supplies and they are in transit.

Local pastors are working through area churches to provide food and cleaning kits.

East Kentucky Broadcasting is also collecting water and supplies to be delivered to the affected areas.

Emergency Drinking Water/Public Water

OES has obtained and delivered to the emergency shelters sites several tractor trailer loads of water. Ample water supplies are now being delivered and will be distributed to the emergency sites.

Mingo County Public Service District (PSD), Veolia Water and the town of Gilbert are utilizing their best efforts to have all water sources available as quickly as possible. Areas served by the Mingo County PSD where water has been returned will be under a boil water advisory until at least Thursday.

The Mingo County PSD is providing an open water line at Joe Evans Auto Body in Delbarton. Individuals who bring their own containers will be allowed access to this line.

If you have a public water source problem to report, please call (304) 235-2244.

Roadways

A major effort has been underway by the National Guard and the Department of Highways to make all roads passable. U.S. 52, Route 49, State Route 65, many secondary routes and county roads have suffered major damage or total destruction. Major construction work is underway. The work will be extensive and there will be numerous time delays. In the interest of public safety, please exercise common sense and access these areas ONLY for emergency travel. Citations may be issued for non-compliant drivers.

Numerous private corporations and individuals are donating time and equipment to this consolidated effort, including CONSOL, Massey Energy, Alpha Natural Resources, International Industries and numerous others.

Private Water Wells

If your private water well has been impacted by flood waters, DO NOT drink the water until it has been inspected by the Mingo County Health Department. There are hundreds of homes impacted and the testing will take time to complete. You can register for water testing at your local shelter, however, wells must be disinfected before testing. Please call the Mingo County Health Department for instructions on disinfection at (304) 235-3570.

Tetanus Warnings/Clinics

Any person who has had contact with flood water should obtain a tetanus shot. You may obtain that from your private physician if available. The Mingo County Health Department will be conducting tetanus vaccination clinics today. Vaccinations will be available at the Larry Joe Harless Center from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and both the Varney Community Center and Matewan Town Hall from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Future clinics will be held as more vaccinations are made available.

On Thursday, Dr. Britt from West Virginia University will be conducting a tetanus vaccination clinic at the Larry Joe Harless Center beginning at 9 a.m. Approximately 300 vaccinations will be available.

Public Transportation

Tri-River Transit will provide two buses for public transportation to assist citizens in accessing physician appointments, filling prescriptions and other business such as grocery shopping. This service will be free of charge. Please call the Tri-River office in Delbarton to make arrangements, (304) 475-2460 or (877) 212-0815.

Flooded Personal Property/Debris

If you have the means, please photograph and /or videotape damage to your property. You may also want to compile an itemized list of all personal property that has been damaged. This will assist you with any private insurance you may have and FEMA if a national declaration is issued, which we fully expect.

Cleaning kits continue to be distributed.

Once damage is documented, please remove the items from your residence and place them where they will be easily accessible to National Guard trucks which will take them to designated debris sites. Please DO NOT place any debris around a utility pole, fire hydrant nor mailbox nor should the debris impede a roadway. Flooded material is a definite health hazard and will create potentially harmful mold. Please utilize your best efforts to avoid mold damage to your home.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The assistance of volunteers continues to be needed and appreciated.

Future Bulletins

These bulletins will be published daily and will be available at emergency shelter sites.

Coal Impoundments

All area coal impoundments have been inspected by federal, state, and local officials as well as responsible companies and there are NO current safety issues concerning those impoundments. If an issue should ever arise in the future, you will be notified by the WARN System.

Public Utilities

OES officials have made contact with Appalachian Electric Power and contract crews are currently working throughout the area. Contract crews are also working for Verizon and gas providers as well.

Mental Health/Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR)

Counselors will be in all impacted areas. If you or someone you know needs these services, please contact the shelter in your area or a liaison officer. DHHR should be contacted if anyone is aware of health/safety issues impacting adults or children who cannot care for themselves. Contact Carolyn Sansom (304) 235-4680.

Judge’s Work Program/Inmates

Individuals will be in various areas assisting with the removal of large debris for public health purposes. These individuals are providing community service and will be supervised at all times.

The work program crews have been loading National Guard trucks with water and supplies. Today they will initiate a massive effort in the Gilbert area.

School Schedules and Closings

Mingo County Schools have been ordered closed for the rest of the week. An update on next week’s school schedule will be published as soon as it is made available to commission officials.

Public Housing

You may contact the Mingo County Housing Authority for information about temporary housing. Please call (304) 475-4663.

Mingo County Special Session

The Mingo County Commission will be in special session Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the 9-1-1 Command Center.

The Mingo County Commission and Office of Emergency Services appreciate your patience as we work to provide relief services to the affected areas.