Recent Flood Articles

First Presbyterian of St. Albans pastor retiring after 15 years

Pastor Paul Romine of the First Presbyterian Church of St. Albans is retiring later this month after 15 years at the helm of the historic church on Kanawha Terrace. The church is planning a celebration of his tenure on Sunday, Jan. 28, at the church.

By: Ben Calwell, Metro Staff | Posted: Jan. 11, 2018 | Source: Kanawha Metro

Pastor Paul Romine’s eyes seemed to glisten slightly as he talked about missing the mountains.

They moistened a bit more when he talked about missing the people.

Romine, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of St. Albans, is retiring later this month after 15 years at the helm of the historic church at 201 Kanawha Terrace. (more…)

January 11, 2018 in 2016 FLOOD, Church News, Local News, NEWS, Volunteers & Volunteer Organizations

Readiness on all fronts is focus for West Virginia National Guard at start of new year

By: MetroNews Staff | Posted: Jan. 2, 2018 at 12:05 am | Source: MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Year 2018 will bring new deployments for members of both the West Virginia Army National Guard and Air National Guard after some of them spent the holidays overseas, according to West Virginia’s adjutant general.

“In the current world environment, we’ve always got to keep our focus on the highest levels of readiness,” said Major General James Hoyer.

Major General James Hoyer

In 2017, more than 100 Air Guard members from the 130th Airlift Wing deployed in support of contingency operations for Operation Freedom Sentinel, the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, and Operation Inherent Resolve, focused on ISIS in Syria and Iraq.

For hurricane relief in a devastating Atlantic season, 14 members of the West Virginia Army National Guard provided immediate infrastructure support after Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands. (more…)

January 2, 2018 in 2016 FLOOD, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

West Virginia National Guard highlights 2017 accomplishments

By: Capt. Holli Nelson | Posted: Dec. 28, 2017 | Source: Defense Video Imagery Distribution System

The West Virginia National Guard had numerous significant accomplishments in 2017 that included homeland and disaster response missions, deployments around the globe, innovative training and the forging of new partnerships at home and abroad.

“The men and women of the West Virginia National Guard proudly accepted the challenge of service as Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen, impacting the lives of West Virginians and furthering national defense objectives around the globe,” said Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, The Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard. “As an economic engine for the State of West Virginia that delivers a half billion dollars in economic impact to the mountain state, the West Virginia National Guard once again has proven its value to the people of West Virginia and our Nation and we will continue to do so into 2018 and beyond.” (more…)

December 28, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

WVNG, state schools partner for first of its kind Guard readiness, student education program

Photo Caption: West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, and partners from six colleges and universities within the state signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 14, 2017 to develop a first-of-its-kind cooperative program between the WVNG’s Fitness Training Program and students in health science areas of study. Photo by WVANG Airman Caleb Vance.

By: Sgt. Zoe Morris, West Virginia National Guard | Photo By: Airman Caleb Vance | Posted: Dec. 15, 2017 | Source: Defense Video Imagery Distribution System

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia National Guard Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. James A. Hoyer, and partners from six colleges and universities within the state signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 14, 2017 to develop a first-of-its-kind cooperative program between the WVNG’s Fitness Training Program and students in health science areas of study.

Through the MoU, students attending West Virginia State University, University of Charleston, Marshall University, West Virginia University, Shepherd University, and Davis and Elkins College will have the opportunity to earn on-the-job training hours by working with Guard units, members and their families participating in the WVNG’s Fitness Training Program, a program designed to provide a holistic approach to physical fitness and wellness. (more…)

December 15, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

Holiday charities, Martha Elementary Service Learning Project

Posted: Dec. 13, 2017 | Source: Herald-Dispatch (Full Article)

MARTHA ELEMENTARY SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT: Students at Martha Elementary are raising money to help Bridge Clendenin Elementary recover from the 2016 floods. The students designed individual quilt blocks of West Virginia symbols, which were then quilted into seven quilts by local award-winning quilter Wilanna Wales. Students are selling chances to win the quilts, $5 for one chance; $10 for three chances; $20 for 10 chances; $50 for 30 chances; and $100 for 100 chances. To purchase chances, contact the school at 304-733-3027. The drawing will be Dec. 14; you do not need to be present to win.

December 13, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Donations, Local News

Lease negotiations underway to bring back Clendenin Library Branch

By: WSAZ News Staff | Dec. 12, 2017 2:28 am | Source: WSAZ

CLENDENIN, W.Va. (WSAZ) — They’ve got the books and computers and now they’re one step closer to having the space.

Kanawha County Library Board Members voted Monday to enter into a lease agreement to open up a new Clendenin branch.

The agreement would give them space on the first floor of the former Clendenin Middle School. (more…)

December 12, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS

Library approves agreement for temporary Clendenin library

By: Alexander Thomas | Posted: Dec. 11, 2017 | Source: WCHS News Network

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Clendenin residents could have a temporary library following the approval of a lease agreement by the Kanawha County Public Library Board of Directors at its meeting Monday.

The Clendenin library was destroyed in the June 2016 flood. The closest options for residents to receive service were the Elk View branch as well as weekly stops by the county mobile library.

The agreement would include renting the first floor of the former Clendenin Middle School building on Koontz Avenue, a 3,300 square-foot space. The library board will pay $1,500 per month to 25405 A New Clendenin Inc., the not-for-profit owner of the building. (more…)

December 11, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery

Library board moves toward establishing temporary Clendenin branch

Gazette-Mail file photo: The Clendenin branch of the Kanawha County Public Library was severely damaged when around 9 feet of water inundated the building in the June 2016 flood.

By: Carlee Lammers, Staff Writer | Posted: Dec. 11, 2017 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail

The Kanawha County Public Library Board of Directors is one step closer to establishing a temporary branch in Clendenin.

Board members voted unanimously Monday to proceed with lease negotiations to create a temporary branch on the first floor of the former middle school on Koontz Avenue in Clendenin.

Board member Anne Silbernagel said the board’s public services committee toured several potential locations before landing on the former middle school property.

(more…)

December 11, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Early Aftermath/Relief Efforts, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS

WV National Guard, fire departments unite for swift water training

Photo by Craig Hudson | Gazette-Mail – Military personnel hoist up a trainee who was “rescued” from the water during a training exercise for the newly formed West Virginia Swift Water Rescue Team.

By Max Garland Staff writer for WV Gazette Mail | Posted: Dec. 2, 2017 | Source: WV Gazette Mail

When Kevin Clendenin first trained for swift water rescue operations more than two decades ago, he didn’t expect he’d be training one day with West Virginia National Guard members, let alone using their helicopters.

But circumstances changed quickly following the deadly June 2016 flood that devastated much of West Virginia.

“The floods in 2016, with many losing their lives, that’s what sparked this joint enterprise,” said Clendenin, now chief of the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department.
(more…)

December 2, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Local News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, NEWS

West Virginia school hit by flood getting band equipment

By: Tyler Barker | Posted: Nov. 7, 2017, 9:34 am | Source: WOAY TV

CLENDENIN, W.Va. (AP) — Another West Virginia school that was destroyed by severe flooding last year is receiving musical instruments for its band.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that the nonprofit group Music Rising is giving $64,000 in band instruments to Herbert Hoover High School in Clendenin. The school lost its instruments in the June 2016 floods and borrowed instruments after that from a nearby middle school.

Studio City, California-based nonprofit The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation selects schools and administers the grant program for Music Rising. (more…)

November 7, 2017 in 2016 FLOOD, Donations, Education News, Long Term Aftermath & Recovery, Students