TOWN OF ALDERSON POST OFFICE BOX 179 CITY BUILDING—202 SOUTH MONROE STREET ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910 TELEPHONE (304) 445-2916

Contact:  Mayor Travis Copenhaver 304-445-2916 / Margaret Hambrick 304-646-2439

Alderson Flash Flood Update Under   sunny   skies   on   the   first   day   of   summer,   emergency   workers,   Alderson   employees,   friends   and neighbors   ventured   out   to   inspect   the   damage   from   the   flash   flooding.      Between   approximately   4:30   and 5:15   p.m.   on   Friday,   June   19,   2020   about   2.5   inches   of   water   fell   on Alderson   as   measured   by   the   official station   at   the   Sewage   Treatment   Plant.      Many   people   speculated   that   even   more   fell   in   the   surrounding mountains and valleys all converging in Alderson Mayor   Travis   Copenhaver   declared   a   local   state   of   emergency.      The   Greenbrier   and   Monroe   County Commissions   declared   states   of   emergency   as   did   the   Governor’s   office.   The   offices   of   Homeland Security    and    Emergency    Management    in    both    Greenbrier    and    Monroe    Counties    responded    to    help assess damage. Early   assessments   indicate   that   at   least   30   homes   were   damaged   on   the   Monroe   County   side   of Alderson and   also   approximately   30   on   the   Greenbrier   County   side.      The   Monroe   County   side   was   the   hardest   hit as   water   from   Flat   Mountain   and   Dark   Hollow   converged   in   Harwood   Creek   and   roared   toward   the Greenbrier River. Unfortunately,   Alderson   is   no   stranger   to   floods   having   experienced   severe   damage   in   1985,   1996,   and 2016.      However,   during   those   events,   the   water   spread   out   from   the   Greenbrier   River   and   flowed   through the   town.      This   time   it   came   down   from   the   mountains   and   valleys   surrounding   the   town   creating   a different pattern of damage. Mayor   Copenhaver   said,   “The   Department   of   Highways   crew   from   Monroe   County   has   continued   to   be outstanding   in   dealing   with   the   mud   slide   near   the   front   gates   of   the   Federal   Prison   Camp   and   Mon Power/First   Energy   has   been   on   site   from   the   very   beginning   working   to   restore   power   on   the   Monroe side.      Paula   Brown   from   Greenbrier   County   Office   of   Homeland   Security   and   Emergency   Management and   Jeff   Jones   from   Monroe   County   Office   of   Homeland   Security   and   Emergency   Management   have   both been   in   town   to   help   assess   damage.      The   Alderson   Volunteer   Fire   Department   worked   until   4:00   a.m. pumping out low lying areas and basements.” Copenhaver   also   said,   “The   changes   and   repairs   to   the   storm   water   system   on   the   Greenbrier   side helped   lessen   the   impact   but   even   those   could   not   handle   the   amount   of   water   coming   at   us.      There   is some damage to water and sewer infrastructure that must be attended to.” Arrangements   have   been   made   for   the   National   Guard   to   pick   up   flood   damaged   items   throughout Alderson.  Flood damaged items should be placed at the curb before Wednesday, June 24.  Copenhaver   concluded,   “I   could   not   be   more   “Alderson   Proud”   than   I   have   been   while   watching   every   one come together and help each other.  PHOTO CAPTION: (click for larger view) Mon Power/First Energy crews work to restore power on the Monroe County side of Alderson.