Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft, Wheeling Police and Fire Public Information Officer Philip Stahl, Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo and Deputy Director Tony Campbell, and Triadelphia Fire Chief David Patterson attend a press conference Monday to update the public about ongoing flood recovery efforts. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING – Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are in flood-ravaged areas of Ohio County gathering information for preliminary damage assessments as the area awaits a federal disaster declaration from the president.

Local officials held a flood recovery update on Monday in Wheeling to provide the latest details on disaster recovery efforts, the ongoing search for one missing person, the latest road closures, updates on donations and supplies, vaccination clinics and other developments related to the deadly June 14 flash flooding.

“I think this is really good news for the residents of both Triadelphia and Valley Grove – FEMA is here,” said Tony Campbell, deputy director of the Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. “That’s a big deal. I know everybody has been waiting for that.”

A presidential disaster declaration will unlock FEMA funding relief for both damaged infrastructure and private property losses. Preliminary numbers from more than 870 Individual Assistance Damage Surveys have been sent to the state – where a disaster declaration has already been made by W.Va. Gov. Patrick Morrisey – and have been forwarded to the federal government.

Officials on Tuesday indicated that FEMA has “boots on the ground” assessing damage and helping to calculate the losses from the flooding that claimed at least eight lives and destroyed neighborhoods along Little Wheeling Creek and National Road from Valley Grove to Triadelphia, as well as parts of Elm Grove and Woodsdale along Big Wheeling Creek in Wheeling.

“FEMA is now looking at our numbers so they can say, ‘Mr. President, they’re right,'” said Lou Vargo, director of Ohio County Homeland Security and EMA. “That’s what he’s going to base his declaration on. This is the next step – it’s one step closer to getting a declaration. But it’s a slow process, but it’s going to be well worth it when we get it.”

SEARCH AND RECOVERY EFFORTS

Search efforts continued throughout the weekend to locate 83-year-old Sandra Kay Parsons of Triadelphia, who remains missing after last Saturday’s flooding. Daily operations — utilizing drones, ground crews, and boats — are ongoing. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to call 911.

DAMAGE REPORT

As of Monday, more than 870 damage surveys have been completed in the Wheeling-Ohio County area. Roughly 75 vehicles have been pulled from Little and Big Wheeling creeks. Anyone with questions related to their vehicle can contact the EMA or local tow companies. Emergency officials strongly encourage homeowners and business owners to report flood damage to the West Virginia Emergency Management Division at emd.wv.gov/disastersurvey

FEMA PERSONNEL TO ASSESS DAMAGE

This week, representatives from the FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be in the area conducting damage assessments in Woodsdale, Elm Grove, Triadelphia and Valley Grove. All FEMA and SBA personnel will carry official identification.

COOLING CENTERS

A Cooling Center has been set up at the Salvation Army on 16th Street in East Wheeling. A first aid and cooling center also has been set up across the street from the Ohio County PSD in Triadelphia. Anyone else with cooling questions can call the EMA at 304-234-3756.

VOLUNTEERS, DONATIONS & SUPPLIES QUESTIONS

Those with flooding-related questions can now call 2-1-1. In addition to supplies, monetary donations are also being accepted. Checks or money orders can be made out to the Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency and dropped off at the Emergency Operations Center located at 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling. All money received will be donated to flood victims.

SUPPLIES DROP OFF & PICK UP SITES

There has been an overwhelming show of support for flood-related items. As of Monday, the only drop-off location will be Wheeling University’s McDonough Center. The Guntry location has permanently closed for all drop-off items. The two pickup locations will remain in place — Triadelphia Methodist Church and the Valley Grove Fire Department.

– DROP OFF LOCATION: Wheeling University McDonough Center – 316 Washington Ave., Wheeling (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Large bulk items can be dropped off at WesBanco Arena (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

– PICKUP LOCATION No. 1: Triadelphia Methodist Church

– PICKUP LOCATION No. 2: Valley Grove Fire Department

CLOSED/NOT ACCEPTING DONATIONS: Guntry, Riesbeck’s and Armory Drive

VACCINATIONS: TETANUS & HEPATITIS A

Tdap (Tetanus vaccine) & Hepatitis A vaccinations (Hep A/Havrix) will continue to be distributed. No registration is required, and the vaccine is free. The health department can be reached at 304-234-3682 or 304-830-0420.

LOCATION 1: Triadelphia United Methodist Church (June 23 and 24 – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

LOCATION 2: Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department (all week – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Hep A is for those 19 years and older. This is a two-part vaccination that requires a follow-up visit at the health department in 6 months. Tetanus and Hepatitis A vaccines will also be available at the Marshall County and Brooke County health departments. Contact each department for details.

ROAD RESTRICTIONS:

An updated list of state road closures can be found on wv511.org. The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers along U.S. 40 in Triadelphia to reduce their speed.

Shilling Bridge – Wheeling (Closed Indefinitely)

U.S. 40/National Road (Triadelphia to Valley Grove – Local Traffic Only)

GC&P Road (Closed Indefinitely at W.Va. 88 Intersection)

Peters Run Road

Battle Run Road

Dixons Run Road

NATIONAL GUARD / DISCARDED ITEMS / DUMPING

The National Guard remains in the area and will continue to assist with debris removal. Residents and businesses affected by the flooding are asked to place flood-related debris at the curb for collection by cleanup crews. Only those directly impacted by the flooding are permitted to take debris to the designated dumping site at The Highlands, located between Cabela’s and Hobby Lobby. This site is not open to the general public. Operating hours for the dump site are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.