CREST JUST ABOVE FLOOD STAGE - Damage Estimates Minimal To Property

(03/22/2002)
By Bob Weaver

Volunteers move "Dukes" garage items to higher ground
(11 p.m. Wednesday)

A few low-lying properties along the Little Kanawha River received minimal damage during yesterday's flood, as water crested just a few inches above the 36 foot flood stage in Grantsville. Water did remain over Route 5 and Route 7 part of Thursday, as water slowly receded.

School was placed on a two-hour delay, and a few buses were unable to run. School was closed Wednesday because of flood water.

The thrust of the rain appeared to hit southern Calhoun, causing many streams to be out of banks and the West Fork of the Little Kanawha to cut off roadways much of Wednesday. (See earlier Hur Herald story)

Old Wayne Underwood Field, a frequent visitor of LK floods
(Thursday 7:30 a.m.)

Rock and mudslide, one-way traffic on Russett Road

A few people left their homes in Grantsville and the Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department remained at the station most of the night to assist callers. Firemen and volunteers raised furniture in Grantsville's low-lying areas and some moved their belongings to higher ground.

"It just didn't get as bad as predicted, and we are grateful," said GVFD Fire Chief Dave Johnson.

Department of Highway workers continued a job moving some large rocks that fell onto Route 7 early Wednesday, not far from a nasty mud and rock slide that occurred in the 1997 flood. During that flood another mud and rock slide fell down on a north side house, virtually destroying it.

Water covered several areas of Route 5 and Route 7 during the night, causing problems for emergency and local traffic.

Cars move to higher ground near Dominion-Hope office

Young volunteers check water on Route 5, too high to cross

Fire Chief Dave Johnson said firemen and emergency workers went to Big Bend by way of Pleasant Hill and Yellow Creek to remove an invalid woman to higher ground. During the activity, Calhoun EMS was summoned to the Foodland parking lot to transport a pregnant woman for delivery.

Grantsville's town workers, local law enforcement, EMS workers, fire department members and several volunteers "stood the night" to help people in distress.

Earlier in the day, members of Calhoun's other two fire departments assisted with efforts in southern Calhoun.

Band boosters remove last of equipment from old hot dog stand to Mt. Zion campus, "The final move," says Bob Bonar.