Electrical service was restored to some of the residents of Philippi, Belington and Junior Sunday, but many homes in the outlying areas of Barbour County still were without power as of presstime, officials said.
Although much progress had been made in restoring power to in-town residents, there still was "no update" about the more rural parts of the county, a representative for the Barbour County 911 Center said Sunday evening.
No power means no working gas pumps, no landline phones and possible food shortages in the community.
Officials said the power could be out for days, while temperatures are in the 80s in most areas and pose a threat of heat-related complications.
Commission President Phil Hart said while there were no fatalities in Barbour County attributed to Friday's storm, a man on a motorcycle was injured when "multiple trees came down on him."
Hart said the man was transported to Davis Memorial Hospital by Belington Emergency Squad. The accident occurred on U.S. 92 north of Belington.
Officials in Barbour County confirmed emergency teams are reaching out to local citizens to help with any safety needs.
"Everybody's just putting in a lot of hours," said Belington Mayor Carlton "Jody" Haller, who also doubles as the police chief in the town of Junior. "It's the community coming together. I've been spending most of the day in Belington around the city checking on people."
Hart said there have been reports of fallen trees and power lines. Officials urge citizens not to touch fallen power lines and to stay hydrated in this heat.
"Our most important issue is the safety and the welfare of the citizens of Barbour County," he said.
Several locations have been set up as shelters for those in need. The Barbour County Fairgrounds is acting as a cooling station and shelter. It also is providing food, Hart said.
Haller said Belington Church of the Nazarene is open to help anyone dependent upon oxygen tanks, or those with a disability or other medical need.
Many of the county's citizens left their homes in search of fuel: food for themselves and gas for their vehicles.
With the power still out Saturday and Sunday, few convenience stores were able to service the community. However, at least one store along Corridor H between Buckhannon and Elkins managed to keep its doors open and gas pumping.
7-Eleven on Mount Nebo Road ran on diesel-powered generators. Westbound vehicles on Corridor H created a long line leading to the station, with drivers and passengers waiting hours, in some cases, to get gas and food. 7-Eleven employees said the lines started at about 8 p.m. Friday.
"I've been here almost three hours," said David Jacob of Belington, who left Barbour County in search of gas Saturday.
He had been waiting in the line of traffic, sitting in his vehicle along the shoulder of the highway since about 10 a.m.
Many in line had multiple canisters ready to be filled with gas. Some left their vehicles to converse, or to walk to the convenience store for food and drinks.
Store employees said they were not placing a restriction on the amount of gas that could be pumped by anyone in line. Customer lines within the convenience store also were extensive.
"We got a couple of (police) cars, never found any problem with the (traffic) lines," said Cpl. T.A. Menendez of the West Virginia State Police in Buckhannon.
He and Trooper B.J. Lowry responded to some complaints about the area being rowdy, he said. They decided to stay on location to help as needed, Menendez indicated.
Elkins residents also were among those in line at the store.
"Like everybody else, we were unprepared," said city neighbor Tim Rigsby.
For some, repairs rather than food and fuel were the most pressing matters requiring attention.
While many Buckhannon residents cleaned debris and fallen branches from their yards, others patched roofs where shingles were torn off in the storm.
One Buckhannon household had a tree fall into the roof of its home and destroy a camper.
"My uncle had a limb come through the ceiling, (and) he just bought that house. It's demolished," said Shawn Williams, nephew of Jack Lewis, the house's owner, who lives along Brushy Fork Road.
Luckily, according to relatives of Lewis, the damages can be covered under his insurance.
Jeff Lewis, a relative who lives on the hill behind the home, said he had seen fallen trees up to 3 feet in diameter in the nearby woods.
"(The storm) snapped 'em like toothpicks," he said.
