City of Philippi responds to major flooding, power outages

Article owned and originally published by WDTV 5 News on Apr. 4, 2024.

Original Article

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - From power outages to impassable roads, severe flooding and weather have caused issues all throughout Barbour county.

On Wednesday, April 3rd, during an extreme weather event, a power pole fell over due to ground saturation in a flooded area, causing many homes and businesses in the city of Philippi to lose power.

The Barbour County Courthouse, Broaddus Hospital, Industrial Park, and large residential areas are some of the areas that have been affected by power outages.

The Barbour County Courthouse is closed today due to the power outage in Philippi, along with Barbour County Magistrate Court. All Magistrate Court hearings have been continued.

Officials say the pole is in a heavily flooded area which compounds the difficulty of solving the problem, but crews are working on resolutions.

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A warming and recharging station has been set up at Philippi City Hall for those who need a more comfortable place to stay until power is restored to their homes, and officials say plans are being developed in the event that long-term shelter is needed.

The station will be at Philippi City Hall, opening at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 4th.

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Officials said in a press release that the Tygart Valley River is still elevated and that until 5:18 p.m. the Belington area will remain under a River Flood Warning through the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service categorizes flood response in stages of urgency:

• The Action Stage means that Action is taken for possible high water. Water may cause minor impacts and be a nuisance to persons near the stream.

• This stage carries the lowest level of urgency.

• The Minor Flood Stage means that Some property flooding and public threat may occur.

• The Moderate Flood Stage means that Flooding of structures and main roadways may occur.

• The Major Flood Stage means that Extensive flooding of structures, main roadways, and other critical infrastructure may occur.

Thankfully, Barbour County is not currently under Major or Moderate Flooding.

River gauges at Belington state that the river is at 14.3 feet, and decreasing.

At this depth, the river is in the “Minor Flood Stage” and will only downgrade to the “Action Stage” once the gauge reads that the river is under 14 feet.

The Philippi gauge is currently at 17.6 feet, and decreasing.

At that depth, the river is in the “Action Stage” and will fall out of that stage once it reads below 17 feet.

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Officials say that the 911 Center and Emergency services are still in operation and should be able to be contacted normally.

The Barbour County Commission has issue a local State of Disaster in response to the severe weather damage to property and infrastructure.

They are asking the public to be safe and patient while they work through the issues to restore Barbour County back to normality.

Officials advise that if you are driving through the county to use caution and do not attempt to drive through damaged or flooded roadways.