GREENBRIER COUNTY (WVDN)- After 3-7 inches of rain fell on portions of Lewis, Upshur, and Randolph counties in WV in less than a 12-hour period this past weekend, many of the cities and towns to our north were left underwater. Sand Run alone, a stream that runs into the Buckhannon River, broke all previous records, establishing a new record crest at over 10 feet. The Buckhannon River itself also crested to historic levels, at over 27 feet, its 4th highest on record.
As the waters recede in these communities, the need for help is becoming more evident. The feeling of helplessness that can come with such a destructive flood is unfortunately all-too familiar to the people of this area after the Flood of 2016. In the coming days and weeks, that is why you’ll find people from every corner of Greenbrier County pitching in to help those upstate.
“The Mayor of Buckhannon came down from Upshur County and spent weeks down here helping us clean up when we were flooded,” says White Sulphur Springs resident Buck Edwards. “Now, his community is in need, and it is time we return the favor.”
As a former contractor with lots of experience in construction work and disaster relief operations, Edwards is organizing a coalition of community volunteers to head north to begin clean-up efforts.
Originally from Buckhannon himself, Edwards was heavily involved in Greenbrier County flood relief 10 years ago, calling it the “most rewarding work that he has ever done.” He and his team were in Greenbrier County from day one of the 2016 disaster and spent five years after the flood rebuilding homes. “A funny story,” Edwards quipps. “I met my wife during flood relief here in Greenbrier County and moved here from Upshur County. Now I am getting people together to go back and help my hometown.”
Edwards, having strong ties to Emergency Management in Upshur County, urges people to ask EM Officials first what is needed, and where they can go to donate, rather than simply self-deploying to disaster areas. “People have huge hearts and want to help, but it needs to be understood that too many items coming in at one time can be overwhelming for flood victims.”
(Buck Edwards with wife Cathy Rennard, who he met during flood relief efforts in 2016)
Beth Smailes, owner of Rainelle Deli & Marketplace, echoed these sentiments. “I remember when we were flooded, we had a lot of unnecessary items brought in at first, when initially all you need is cleaning supplies.” Smailes is taking donations at her establishment in the coming days and weeks, and while she urges people to drop off donations, she tells WVDN that she will be assessing what is needed from Emergency Management on a week-by-week basis.
Aly Vandall, of Alderson, was just ten years old when the flood of 2016 ravaged Greenbrier County. Now in her junior year at WV Wesleyan College, her “second home” in Upshur County has now been impacted by a similar disaster. As a child she remembers donations flowing in to help her hometown a decade ago. With her family connections to the Alderson Fire Department, she is now organizing drop-off locations for donating supplies, so she can help return the favor.
Big Eazy’s BBQ, of Lewisburg, WV, has also gone all-in on the disaster relief efforts. Ezra Braden tells WVDN, “During the flood of 2016, we teamed up with Operation BBQ Relief, a national non-profit, in setting up our smokers and cooking for those in need.” He explains that his business will be doing the same thing in recently hard-hit areas over the next several weekends to come, as long as there are folks in need of a hot meal. Big Eazy’s will also be delivering supplies when they make the trip up and urge citizens to come help “fill the trailer.” They will be taking donations at the Greenbrier County DHHR building in Fairlea, WV.
The following additional local fire departments are also collecting donations. Volunteers are welcome to check their pages on social media or give them a call for details.
White Sulphur Springs VFD: (304) 536-3993
Rupert VFD: (304) 392-5819
Rainelle VFD: (304) 438-5222
While supplies are always needed, MONETARY DONATIONS ALSO GO A LONG WAY. Giving money is a smart way to donate because funds are then used to buy items tailored to a community’ specific needs.
The United Way of the Greenbrier Valley has set up a link to donate
HEREVolunteers/donors can also reach them at: (304) 647-3783.
Stay tuned to WVDN as flood relief efforts continue, and ways you can help are updated in the coming weeks.
