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Flood Relief Efforts Continue

The Brooke County Commission learned Tuesday of continuing efforts to aid those affected by the July 30 flooding in Follansbee.

The Rev. Frank Haas of Follansbee Presbyterian Church told the commissioners several area charities and other groups have banded together to assist. In addition to Haas’ church, they include the  Brooke County Emergency Management Agency, Follansbee United Methodist Church, House of the Carpenter of Wheeling, the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, the Brooke County Salvation Army, Catholic Charities West Virginia and the American Red Cross of Northwest West Virginia.

At an earlier meeting, George Smoulder, executive director of the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley, said, “We’ve had long-term recovery teams in place in years past, after storms had struck our area and caused extensive damage. The teams bring agencies and other entities to the table to gather information about what needs to be done to help residents recover. In this way, efforts are not duplicated, and every effort is made to make sure no one is overlooked. The long-term team will continue to meet as long as unmet needs remain.”

Haas said with support from others, the Brooke County Salvation Army has set up a recovery center at 866 Main St., Follansbee, the former site of Hood’s Pharmacy.

Barb McConnell, office manager for the Brooke County Salvation Army, said with the help of the House of the Carpenter and other donations, the organization has some used washers, dryers and furniture and a large amount of clothing to distribute to flood victims who registered with the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency following the flood.

She also thanked James and Randy Hood for use of the building, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and Friday, and again from Monday through Oct. 7.

Anyone with questions can call 304-737-0071.

A list of flood victims compiled by the Brooke County EMA in an effort to seek federal aid also has been used to distribute money donated to the Follansbee Flood Relief Fund established at the Follansbee Branch of First National Bank.

Haas said most of the $115,000 collected has been disbursed in checks to flood victims, although some haven’t come forward yet. Checks of $600 or $800 were given to residents, depending on the extent of their damages, while businesses and churches received $700 each.

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