As thousands of area residents entered a second week without power and other essentials, the National Guard was on patrol in Upshur County on Sunday with water and non-perishable food.
James T. Farrell, public information officer for the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management, said in a prepared statement that residents who see a Humvee on the back roads of Upshur and are in need of supplies or medical help, should flag them down.
He said it was expected that power would be restored to Upshur residents on Sunday and mail service should return today.
Article Photos
Photo courtesy of James T. Farrell
Members of the West Virginia National Guard participate in a tactics meeting Sunday morning at the Upshur County Emergency Operations Center.
"Once that is completed, the power companies will start repairing isolated and individual problems," Farrell said in the release. "If you are the only building in your neighborhood without power, Monday would be a good time to get your location on your providers list."
Farrell said postal carriers and others providing private delivery services will help to report any needs in the county.
"We are asking them to be extra vigilant on Monday, and report full mailboxes and sitting parcels as an indicator that the residents' welfare may be compromised," Farrell stated in the release.
A mass care regional shelter, operated by the American Red Cross, is open at West Virginia Wesleyan College Gymnasium. Free meals and air conditioning are available to anyone, not just Upshur residents, in need of a cool place to sleep or relax. There are no plans to close this shelter at this time, Farrell said.
For those in need of water, Farrell said, "clean, but not-certified-as-potable water, is still available free in bulk quantities from a tanker-trailer at Adrian Public Service District in French Creek and a buffalo-trailer at Banks District Fire Department."
People should bring their own containers.
Some Upshur County fire stations also are offering bottled water and non-perishable food supplies.
Farrell also reminds residents that here is an emergency no open burning order in effect statewide, in accordance with a proclamation issued by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Friday.
