June 6, 2008

CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Gov. Joe Manchin has expanded a state of emergency declared on June 4, 2008 to six additional counties and surrounding regions.

            Counties included in the declaration include Barbour, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jefferson, Marion, Monongalia, Ritchie, Taylor, and Wirt. Surrounding counties are also included in the state of emergency.

            The State Office of Emergency Management and the West Virginia Commission for National and Community Service are mobilizing volunteers to help flood recovery efforts in the 12 affected counties mentioned above.

             Of the 12-county area affected by the storms, 10 counties still need volunteers. Contacts for those counties are listed below.   

• Barbour County – Larry Allen, (304) 457-5686
• Clay County – Pat Beets, (304) 587-4539
• Doddridge County – Roland Kniceley, (304) 844-7390
• Gilmer County – Sharon Kesselring, (304) 485-7311
• Harrison County – Paul Bump, (304) 623-4115 or Ray Shaw, (304) 629-9876
• Jefferson County – Barbara Miller, (304) 728-3290
• Marion County – Chris McIntire, (304) 366-0196 or Fairmont Workforce West Virginia, (304) 363-2550
• Monongalia County – Ryan Thorne, (304) 598-0301 ext. 17
• Ritchie County – James White, (304) 659-2917
• Taylor County – Mark Knotts, (304) 265-0904

According to the State Office of Emergency Management, Gilmer County is most affected by the severe storms and could use many volunteers from nearby areas. The American Red Cross of Northern West Virginia is coordinating volunteer efforts in Gilmer County.                     

Volunteers can search for opportunities on www.volunteerwv.org by clicking on the yellow “Current Disaster” on the home page. Volunteers can also contact their local emergency manager to find out where help is needed.

The State Office of Emergency Management is in the process of establishing transfer sites where debris and other materials collected during the recovery process can be deposited. Information about the location of those sites can be obtained by contacting the individuals listed above.

More information about long-term recovery efforts can be found at www.volunteerwv.org and from the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (WV VOAD) member groups. For more information, call (304) 558-0111, (800) WV-HELPS or email Heather Foster, Citizen Corps Program Manager, at hfoster@mail.state.wv.us.