Three drowning deaths in Pike County
BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — The region is still recuperating from major flooding along the Tug Fork River and its tributaries in Mingo County. This past weekend’s flooding is the second worse in the Tug Valley’s history, only beaten by a couple of feet by the historic 1977 flood that ravaged our communities.
In neighboring Pike County, the Levisa Fork also flooded parts of Pikeville and Coal Run, damaging many businesses and homes.
The crest along the Tug Fork rivaled the 1977 flood. Williamson topped out around 49 feet, which was still high enough for the second-highest crest on record. Down river in Kermit, the river topped out at 51 feet, also the second-highest crest on record, second only to the devastating 1977 flood.
Williamson’s flood walls prevented additional damage to the downtown, West End and South Williamson communities. Those were built after the 1977 flood and were configured to withstand high water that inundated the valley back then.
Many tributaries along the Tug River, such as Buffalo Creek at Chattaroy, Big Creek, Ky. (across from Nolan), as well as Nolan itself, Pigeon Creek at Naugatuck and Marrowbone Creek, and many other communities suffered from backwater flooding as the Tug Fork swelled after heavy rains fell in places like Welch and Bradshaw in McDowell County and the Hurley, Virginia, area. Those headwaters flowed into the Tug and helped cause the major flooding in the Williamson and Mingo County watersheds.
The ground was already saturated as heavy rain fell the weekend of Feb. 15.
Many homes were damaged and destroyed along the banks of the Tug River. Several residents had to flee their houses and some swift water rescues had to be conducted by emergency first responders. Many vehicles were also damaged or destroyed as the water rose swiftly and much higher than the original crest prediction.
The South Williamson Walmart was flooded badly with the muddy water, along with many businesses in the Appalachia Plaza. Just across US 119, Food City was spared, but water did get into the parking lot and other businesses along that stretch of highway.
The football, baseball and softball fields at Tug Valley High School were overcome by backwater and completely covered with mud and water.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey toured Mingo, McDowell and Mercer counties – the hardest hit counties in the Mountain State. Two were confirmed dead in the Welch area and one was missing.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear toured eastern Kentucky, including Pike County. State officials gathered Tuesday morning to share an update on damage following historic flooding across Kentucky that killed a total of 14 people, three in Pike County.
Beshear was joined by leaders from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky Emergency Management, FEMA, and more as they shared details on the state’s response to the floods as well as the ongoing weather events that are also posing a threat to the Bluegrass State.
Residents and business owners affected by the cold, muddy water were left to cleanup and start to rebuild, something this region is all too familiar with.
Thousands were without power in the affected regions, but Appalachian and Kentucky Power Companies were slowly but surely restoring the electricity in many areas. At the peak outage, Mingo County was hit the hardest with over 7,000 without power.
Some areas did not have water, or it was just a trickle coming out of their faucets.
The Williamson Fieldhouse was being used as a place for people to receive bottled water and other supplies and also as a warming center and shelter.
Another Arctic blast was predicted to hit the region, and accumulating snowfall was slated in the region, which would hamper cleanup efforts.
Other agencies were starting to contact local officials and hopefully more help will be on the way in the coming weeks. Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, led by Franklin Graham, flew into Williamson on Tuesday by helicopter. The Graham Family sent representatives to Mingo County to offer assistance.
Local county and town officials throughout the region were working around the clock to assist citizens and contact state officials for further assistance.
Just like in past flooding events, it will take weeks and even months for residents affected to get back up and running.