WISE DECLARES FLOOD EMERGENCY IN 33 COUNTIES - Storms Sweep Across State

(05/11/2003)
Governor Wise declared a state of emergency in 33 West Virginia counties due to flooding and impending storms, yesterday.

The declaration is precautionary and is expected to remain in effect for 30 days.

Braxton and Webster counties, are reporting widespread problems from weekend storms.

Wise says the other counties, mostly in northern, north-central and northeastern West Virginia, could bear the brunt of additional storms over the next 24 hours.

The declaration allows for utility crews to work overtime, lets the state do emergency contracting and the emergency transfer of materials and resources when needed.

The other affected counties include Barbour, Berkeley, Brooke, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel, Wirt and Wood.

Last night, about 6,000 Appalachian Power customers were without electrical service, mostly in Cabell and Putnam counties.