Gov. Tomblin Declares Statewide State of Emergency

Rainfall and melting snow is causing creeks and rivers to rise across West Virginia. The rising waters pushed 15 counties to dismiss students early from public schools on Wednesday.

In a release sent out Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a statewide State of Emergency. The declaration mobilizes state resources to combat severe weather conditions and ensure the safety of residents across the state.

“Because severe weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the next few days, I have transitioned that State of Preparedness into a State of Emergency to continue deployment of key resources from the West Virginia National Guard, Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, Department of Transportation and other necessary agencies,” Tomblin said in a release.

Tomblin issued a “State of Preparedness” to mobilize resources on Tuesday. Gov. Tomblin also noted potential weather may leave neighborhoods without power and other utilities, and service providers are ready to address outages and other issues as they arise. He encouraged residents to think about the items families may need to stay safe for at least forty-eight hours, including food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries and fuel for generators.

The “State of Preparedness” was created as a proclamation last year. It ensures that emergency crews have plenty of food and supplies for possible disasters among other things.

Tomblin also encouraged folks to check on their neighbors and the elderly.

The state of emergency does guarantee federal assistance unless certain thresholds are met.