photo by: Gage Vota

St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman helps city employees Brandon Goletz, from her right, and Eric Timko load donations to be distributed to the people affected by the flash flooding in Ohio County this past weekend.

Belmont County residents stepped up to lend crucial support for their neighbors across the Ohio River.

In response to the flash flooding that took place on Saturday evening in Wheeling, people across the county began creating various dropoff locations for residents to donate essential items to the people affected by the flooding.

St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman said she grew up in Warwood and knows many of the people who were affected.

“This is our valley. We’re all part of this valley, and we want to see each other prosper and grow and do well,” she said. “When our brothers and sisters are hurting, we want to help them, because it could be any of us at any time. So please know our prayers are with you and that we also will do anything in the way of cooperation that we can.”

Thalman added that today will be the last day for residents to drop off their donations at the St. Clairsville Recreation Center as requested by Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder.

“By the request of the city of Wheeling, we’re going to close out donations Tuesday at 5 (p.m.), because they are getting overwhelmed with donations. They asked us to do this again in two weeks. So rather than have it all get there now and maybe not be able to find volunteers to distribute it, we’ll take our last donations Tuesday at 5 p.m., and then probably do this again in a couple of weeks,” Thalman said. “We will post on social media when we do this again, but I’ll take my cues from the mayor of Wheeling, Denny Magruder. I spoke with him this morning, and if he says they’re going to need something, we’ll post it.”

Belmont County officials have also stepped up to help. County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan and Assistant Prosecutor Joe Vavra as well as the county courts collected donations at their offices to be delivered to Wheeling today.

Belmont County Coroner Amanda Fisher also organized a dropoff location where residents can donate supplies.

She added that bleach, spray bottles, mops, buckets, Clorox wipes, paper and plastic products, pet food, baby wipes, diapers, baby food, formula, and non-perishable food items are needed and can be dropped off at her office at 712 W. Main St. in Barnesville during the office hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday; and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

“These items will be delivered directly to families who have lost their homes and, in some cases, their loved ones,” Fisher said.

In response to Saturday’s flooding, Belmont Savings Bank announced the availability of special financial relief options for individuals and businesses affected by the disaster.

“We understand the enormous toll this flooding has taken on so many of our friends, neighbors and customers,” Belmont Savings Bank President Todd Cover said in a news release. “As a community bank, our role goes beyond banking, we’re here to provide real support during difficult times.”

The bank is now offering a range of flexible relief options, such as temporary loan payment deferrals, Interest-only payment plans, emergency personal and business loans, fast-track loan modifications and restructuring. Customers impacted by the flooding are encouraged to contact the bank directly to explore available assistance.

Another entity that has stepped up for its neighbors during this tough time is the city of Martins Ferry. Mayor John Davies organized a collection at the city’s Recreation Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Friday afternoon.

“I think the Ohio Valley has strong ties, no matter what community you’re in. I tell people all of the time, we’re Appalachia people, so we’re resilient and we take care of each other. This is just another incident that had happened,” he said.

Martins Ferry Recreation Center Manager Rosealee McLaughlin said that Davies contacted her on Sunday to open up the center to provide a location for residents looking to donate to Wheeling residents impacted by the flash flooding.

McLaughlin added that the rec center has the availability of residents pulling right up to the door, and she is gladly able to unload anything and everything from their vehicles.