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Justice Adds Northern Panhandle Counties To State Of Emergency Declaration

1 min read
Photo by John McCabe/The Intelligencer, Wheeling, W.Va. South York Street on Wheeling Island in Wheeling, W.Va., is closed to traffic as the Ohio River nears its crest of 41.9 feet. South York Street leads to Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack, which is currently underwater and inaccessible.

Gov. Jim Justice has added five Northern Panhandle counties to his previously declared state of emergency. Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties were added along with Barbour and Wood counties Thursday afternoon.

The Northern Panhandle is dealing with flooding that came from the steady rains that have fallen this week.

The state of emergency declaration is a proactive measure ensuring the allocation of necessary resources and expediting emergency response efforts. It allows state and local agencies to take swift and decisive actions to mitigate the impact of dangers in an effort to protect the lives and property of West Virginians.

Those counties join Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln and Nicholas counties, which were hit with severe thunderstorms earlier this week.

Starting at /week.