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WHEELING - West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey - also a Republican candidate for governor - got a first-hand look at flood-damaged areas in Ohio and Marshall counties on Saturday.
"I just wanted to see it for myself. Obviously, if there's anything that I can do I want to be able to do it," Morrisey said.
On Saturday, Morrisey received a tour of the Northern Panhandle flood damage from Charlie Reynolds, district manager for District 6 with the West Virginia Department of Highways.
Morrisey and Reynolds viewed damage in Marshall County, where some rural roads "are totally gone" as a result of flood waters, according to Reynolds. He noted much of Irish Ridge was washed away.
They went to the Prima Marina restaurant along the river in Moundsville, where owner Matt Coffland told them the business would be closed for clean up for at least a month.
"The little shop owners get hit really badly," Morrisey said. "West Virginia has a tough history with flooding … You just always want to be up and helping.
"You can't change Mother Nature, but you try to learn whenever you can and help the people in need. I'm just trying to be helpful. That's the most important thing to do right now."
The pair then moved on to downtown Wheeling, where they stopped at Waterfront Hall on Water Street. The business had been closed on Thursday after the basement there took on much water, but Morrisey and Reynolds reported the eateries on the unaffected first floor were open on Saturday as the basement cleanup continued.
From Wheeling, they traveled north on W.Va. 2 to view the remnants of a mudslide that occurred just south of Warwood. Morrisey noticed the newly placed electrical polls there, and Reynolds told him older polls and wires were removed during the mudslide.
"The powerlines were stressed, and they didn't want anybody to get electrocuted so they removed the power lines," Reynolds said.
"People couldn't travel. This is the way to Beech Bottom and Wellsburg, and they couldn't travel. They had to go over on” Ohio 7.
Morrisey said he believes government should partner up with the private sector to offer assistance wherever it is needed.
"When people get hit really hard by weather conditions, you have to come together quickly," he continued. "Whether it's government acting promptly ... whether it's the State Highways Department … whether we're talking about getting AEP when the power is down … people need direct help.
"If resources are needed, they need to get them here quickly. I know that."
Even cleaning supplies need to be provided, according to Morrisey.
"People need bleach and water. These people want to clean their homes," he said. "And we want to make sure they are avoiding mold and other problems that arise from floods like this."
Much of the rural area in Marshall County was hit by flooding, making many roads impassable, Reynolds said.
"And he has seen that," Reynolds said of Morrisey. "He instantly got a hold of me and said I want to tour and see the damage that was done."
Morrisey explained he thought it was necessary.
"I think it's important to learn and be there for people when they need it," he said.
In his role as attorney general, Morrisey wants the public to be aware of those seeking charitable donations during a natural disaster crisis and the threat of possible scams.
"A lot of people always ask to help out those who are in need, and we want to make sure the money goes to the right causes," he explained. "There are always scammers out there."