HERE COMES IVAN THE TERRIBLE - West Virginia Bracing, First Time Ever Mudslide Alert

(09/17/2004)
SEE ACTUAL FLOOD WARNING ON HUR HERALD

Emergency officials across West Virginia are keeping a wary eye on Hurricane Ivan as they prepare for heavy rains that could lead to severe flooding and mudslides.

The entire state is now under a Flood Watch and several counties(including Calhoun and regional counties) are under a Flood Warning.

Ivan's remnants are expected to move into the state today.

The flood watch is through Saturday.

The National Weather Service says some parts of southeastern West Virginia could receive 10 to 14 inches of rain.

Governor Wise says 100 National Guard members are being activated, with another 400 on alert.

Twenty-thousand pre-packaged meals are being sent to the Raleigh County armory.

Officials are warning residents in low-lying areas to monitor streams and to be prepared to evacuate.

There is concern about mudslides because the ground is still saturated from rains last week.

Gov. Wise says the US Geological Survey for the first time ever has issued a landslide alert for West Virginia.

While a major concern in West Virginia is small-stream flooding, the National Weather Service has also issued flood warnings for the entire Ohio River area and for portions of the Little Kanawha, Tygart Valley, West Fork, Coal and Guyandotte rivers.