Hundreds of Ohio Valley Residents Are Impacted
NEW MARTINSVILLE — When authorities alerted Paul and Donna Jo Cain they needed to leave the Proctor home they’ve shared for more than 60 years because of Saturday’s chlorine leak at Axiall Corp.’s nearby chemical plant, they agreed to do so — on one condition.
“Nothing like this has ever happened to us before,” Donna Jo Cain said. “When we were told to leave, we said that we wouldn’t leave without our dog. They let us carry our dog.”
The couple and their dog would meet their son at a restaurant many miles from the chemical spill. They said their trees, garden and yard have been damaged because of the chemical leak.
“We don’t blame anyone — it was an accident,” Paul said. “We’re just glad no one was hurt.”
The Cains were among hundreds of residents from Wetzel, Marshall and Monroe counties affected by the leak, which sent two workers to the hospital with minor problems, shut down major highways and canceled high school sporting events.
Proctor resident Patricia Yost evacuated her home early Saturday with her four dogs and other residents of her home. Yost said her family heard fire trucks and shortly thereafter a man came running into her yard, telling them they needed to leave right away.
“I saw a white cloud above my house and smelled a chlorine smell,” Yost said, noting she didn’t have a chance to retrieve medicines or any other important belongings. She’s thankful New Martinsville’s Rite Aid pharmacy gave her enough medication for the day.
New Martinsville residents J. Adam Herrick and his wife, Hannah, who works at Wetzel County Hospital, were in limbo until authorities determined it was safe for residents to come home.
“Hannah and I evacuated to the hospital (because) she’s on call, as a precaution,” said J. Adam Herrick. “I just think it’s ironic that my pool day has been put on hold because of chlorine.”
Resident Nikki Goddard owns Paw Spa, located in New Martinsville. However, Goddard was south of the mandatory evacuation area.
“We stayed calm and had the plan to take all my boarding and my personal dogs to my sister Heather Skinner’s house in Paden City. Thank God it was all good here, or you would’ve seen a car full of dogs headed south.”
It didn’t come to that, as Goddard noted that she was open and ready for business.
For Magnolia High School Principal Kathi Schmalz, the focus usually is on the youth of New Martinsville. However, on Saturday Schmalz had residents of all ages under her watch as the high school served as a shelter for those who had been evacuated.
“The chief of police (Tim Cecil), Councilman Steve Pallisco, Wetzel County Emergency Management Services, teachers, students and area business have come together to feed, house and comfort those in need,” Schmalz said.
And those in need were indeed grateful for the evacuation center, as well as the local individuals and businesses who stepped in to help.
One of those businesses is Sistersville General Hospital, which provided food and insulin to area resident Theresa Bensen. Barbara Powell and PJ’s Pizza provided food and assistance to those sheltered at Magnolia.
Schmalz noted that other local businesses who have helped include McDonalds, Wendy’s, Domino’s, and Quinet’s Court Restaurant.
New Martinsville Police Department’s Jason Utt, prevention resource officer for Magnolia High School, said he was informed about the leak and necessary evacuations by fellow law enforcement at around 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Utt said he then notified Schmalz, who then made contact with Wetzel County Schools’ Superintendent Ed Toman to prepare the building to welcome residents.
“Small communities are just great,” Utt said. “People help, donate and come forward. In a big town, you don’t get the people to help like they do in the small community.”
Toman also praised Schmalz for her quick action and offered his prayers that everyone, everywhere, was OK.
“It’s just a lot of people going above and beyond,” he said.
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