Jaynell Graham
Editor
Many folks were amazed by the beautiful colors of the evening sky and the sight of double rainbows early Sunday evening. But that beauty belied the effects of the storm that passed through most of the county, but hit hard in the Frost and Dunmore area.
Brandon Kelley, Deputy Director of Pocahontas County Emergency Management, said Frost was hit the hardest, receiving 3.8 to 4.5 inches of rain in just one hour.
Knapps Creek became a rushing torrent as it cut through hay fields and pastures, surrounded homes, undercut roadways and damaged bridges.
Some farmers had their first cutting of hay on the ground. The hay was swept downstream or, worse, caught in fence wire, reportedly making fence rows look like thatch. In addition to the damage from the flooding, the winter feed supply suffered, as well.
Rt. 84 from Frost to the Virginia line remained closed as of Tuesday afternoon, as Department of Highways personnel worked to repair damages.
Pocahontas County Highway Administrator Josh Dilley said the West Virginia side of Rt. 84 would open in a couple of days, but there was a serious slide just past the state line in Virginia, which would not be a quick and easy fix.
Travelers should avoid Rt. 84 for the present time.
Rt. 28 at Dunmore and Rt. 92 at Frost suffered damage, as well.
Dilley said the department has shoulder repair work to do in some areas, including the Hill Country, and a sink hole repair in the 14000 block at Dunmore.
The entrance road to the WVMR station near Seneca State Forest was washed out.
Some camps sustained damage, including a mobile home-type that was washed out into the road beside Green’s Auto Repair, near the intersection of Hill Country Road and Rt. 92 in Frost.
Green’s Auto Repair is the only business reported to have had floodwater in its facility.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The water receded as fast as it rose, leaving behind a real mess.