Janet Sowers Rinehart, Class of 1964,
was trapped in her Howard Street home by today's Buffalo Creek flooding in
Mannington. She took photos from her porch. Fortunately, her porch is on higher
ground.
She had plenty of company.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice declared
a state of emergency in six counties over the flooding, including Marion.
Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Monongalia and Harrison counties
are the other flood-ravaged areas.
Janet is the widow of Ron Rinehart, 1959
Mannington High grad. She grew up in Bingamon and is a West Virginia Business
College graduate.
She wrote:
“I thought I was going to have the Big One, as Sanford used to say, when I looked out my door and saw all that water ... and my car being almost covered with it.”
Janet continued:
“I thought I was going to have the Big One, as Sanford used to say, when I looked out my door and saw all that water ... and my car being almost covered with it.”
That
would be Red Foxx, in the title role of Sanford in the “Sanford and Son” TV
series, as he clutched his heart in fake dismay over something gone wrong.
“Right now I am safe. Just scared. Please pray that it will
stop raining.”
Later, Janet added:
"They said the 1980 flood was a once in 100 years thing. But the water is deeper this time."
Later, Janet added:
"They said the 1980 flood was a once in 100 years thing. But the water is deeper this time."
North Marion grad Melanie Hughes added:
“On our way home
from the beach and seeing pictures of our house, my sister’s house & our
neighbor’s house is making me sick to my stomach. Please pray for everyone in
Mannington. I hope the water goes down soon so we can eventually make it home.”
The West Virginia National Guard has been mobilized to
help first responders.
Some reports say Buffalo Creek flooding is at 25 feet.
The road between Mannington and Farmington is flooded.
U.S. 19 is closed at White Rock (of course) and at the Idamay turnoff.
People were evacuated in Worthington and Hutchinson by Marion County Rescue crews.
People were evacuated in Worthington and Hutchinson by Marion County Rescue crews.
The Monongahela River in Rivesville is lapping nearer and
nearer to U.S. 19 and has flooded DeMary’s Docks.
Old Monongah Road is closed, preventing cars from getting
to Fairmont that way.
Much of Fairmont is without power.
In a typical West Virginia reaction, various groups already are
soliciting items to help the flood victims. Jessica Yankie
Brumage with Shelly Yankie
are among those spearheading the donations.
Jessica is a
2000 North Marion grad married to Anthony Brumage. Shelly is a 2002 North
Marion grad living in Monongah.
There are so many people working on donations that the biggest problem may be to keep the different Good Samaritan groups from tripping over each other.
While Monongah didn't get the Mannington treatment, Susan Staron Sanders, who was worrying about friends hit by the Buffalo Creek overflow, discovered that her 4-year-old sump pump in her basement failed her. Wet paw prints from her pets tipped her off.
There are so many people working on donations that the biggest problem may be to keep the different Good Samaritan groups from tripping over each other.
While Monongah didn't get the Mannington treatment, Susan Staron Sanders, who was worrying about friends hit by the Buffalo Creek overflow, discovered that her 4-year-old sump pump in her basement failed her. Wet paw prints from her pets tipped her off.
West Virginia is
no stranger to floods.
The 1972 Buffalo
Creek coal waste dam in Logan County burst and killed 125 and injured 1,100.
The 1985
Hurricane Juan whipped through the eastern part of the state, with the raging
waters killing 47.
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