Southern WV Flood Relief: How You Can Help Today
As Southern West Virginia’s coalfield counties were preparing to hold a press conference at the WV State Capitol to advocate for clean water for their neighbors, they were met with devastating flooding over the weekend. Their press conference for Wednesday, 2/19, is now canceled.
Can You Help? The Tug Fork River, the Guyandotte River, and many others have swelled beyond their banks, impacting homes, businesses, and communities. There are widespread power outages. Officials report more than 30 swift water rescues. More winter weather is on the way, and temperatures continue to drop. Some communities are expected to be without power for days. Right now, McDowell, Mercer, and Mingo Counties appear to have been among the hardest hit in WV, and our hearts are heavy for communities and families, many of whom have lost everything.
Local organizations, businesses, and community members are rallying to support one another, but we know there is a long road ahead to recovery. Bluejay Rising has created a Google document, which is being updated regularly as more details are received, with information about warming centers, volunteer needs, and information for those impacted by flood waters: https://bit.ly/SWV-Flood-Resources
We ask that, if you are in a position to give, you support the following groups leading recovery efforts in SWV.
DONATE to:
- Bluejay Rising West Virginia Rescue Fund – https://secure.actblue.com/donate/wv-rescue-fund
- West Virginia United Methodist Church Disaster Response Ministries – https://wvumc.brtapp.com/page/donate/disaster-response-ministries
To VOLUNTEER:
- If you want to volunteer in the coming days and weeks, contact Bluejay Rising us@bluejayrising.org.
Facebook Pages to Follow for More Information:
Recovery will be ongoing and be needed in waves, but together, we will get through this.
Please stay safe, stay informed, and continue showing up for your neighbors.
-West Virginia Rivers Coalition
