WESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey visited the Shop ‘n Save Express in Weston to recognize its reopening following last week’s devastating flooding. The Shop ‘n Save Express was the first grocery store in the area to reopen after the flooding.
Click here to watch Governor’s event.
“Today’s reopening is an encouraging sign,” said Governor Morrisey. “There is still a long road ahead, but every reopened business, every repaired road, and every family returning home is another step forward.”
The Governor called on West Virginians to continue volunteering to help families and communities affected by the flooding. The State is especially seeking volunteers with construction experience to assist with cleanup and repair projects. The State will maintain a strong presence on the ground throughout the recovery. Anyone interested in volunteering or in need of cleanup assistance can contact West Virginia VOAD at (304) 553-0927. Residents who sustained flood damage should report it here.
Governor Morrisey also traveled to Buckhannon to tour one of the region’s temporary flood debris management sites and receive an update on ongoing cleanup efforts. The site serves as a central collection point where debris removed from affected communities is consolidated, sorted, and loaded for transport to its final disposal site.
Recovery efforts remain underway across the affected region, with hundreds of state personnel continuing to support debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and community recovery. The West Virginia National Guard has 184 personnel supporting recovery operations, and eight additional grapple trucks joined the cleanup effort today to help accelerate debris removal. The West Virginia Division of Highways has 128 work crews deployed across the region and has removed approximately 25,000 tons of debris while restoring roads, repairing damaged infrastructure, and reconnecting communities.
The West Virginia State Police is supporting local law enforcement and providing security throughout affected communities. The Department of Environmental Protection has deployed 177 personnel and 170 vehicles and pieces of equipment to support cleanup operations while operating debris management sites in Lewis, Upshur, and Barbour counties.
The American Red Cross continues conducting damage assessments and connecting families with recovery assistance. West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) continues coordinating volunteer groups, organizing muck-out teams, distributing supplies, and helping residents begin rebuilding.
“This store didn’t reopen by accident,” Governor Morrisey said. “Business owners refused to give up. Employees are working around the clock, neighbors are helping neighbors, and our crews continue clearing roads and restoring critical infrastructure. Many families are still facing difficult days, but we’re going to stay with these communities until the recovery is complete.”
