BY: LORI KERSEY – AUGUST 30, 2023 1:06 PM
Homes in eastern Kanawha County were flooded when flash floods hit the area early Monday morning. Residents will need resources to help them clean up after the flood. Here are some of the ways you can help:
Donate cleaning supplies in Chesapeake or Belle
Supplies are being distributed daily at the Belle Town Hall, 1100 E. Dupont Avenue in Belle, and at Chesapeake Town Hall, 12404 MacCorkle Avenue SE, according to a news release from the Kanawha County Commission. Those locations will also accept donations, specifically of contractor grade trash bags, bleach, push brooms and shovels. They ask that people do not bring clothing donations or cash to these locations.
Drop off supplies in Charleston
The United Way of Central West Virginia is collecting donations of bleach and medium sized plastic totes between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at its office at 1 United Way Square in Charleston.
Bring food items to Riverside High School
Riverside High School, where some of the affected residents attend, operates a food pantry for students. Coordinator Jessica Workman said in one of her classes alone, four students were affected by the flood. Donations of non-perishable food items such as canned goods (no cleaning supplies) are accepted during school hours at the high school, 1 Warrior Way in Belle.
Monetary donations can also be made by writing a check to Riverside High School Food Pantry.
Want to volunteer?
Anyone interested in volunteering their time and labor to help residents clean should contact West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster by calling 304-553-0927 or emailing wvvoad@wvvoad.org.
Health officials recommend tetanus shots for people cleaning out after flood
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department will be in Belle this week offering free tetanus shots to people who are cleaning out their homes or helping others in the area do so. The mobile shot clinic will be at the Belle Town Hall Distribution Site Wednesday, Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Floodwaters carry disease-causing organisms that can lead to serious illness or even death,” health officer Dr. Steven Eshenaur said in a news release. “Foremost, stay out of the floodwaters. If you’ve already been in them or are conducting cleanup now, please make sure your tetanus shot is up to date. If you can’t recall when you had your last one, just get another to be on the safe side. Tetanus is a serious disease and is easily preventable. If you get a wound — small or large — tend to it immediately. Bacteria can invade your body through the smallest punctures and scratches.”
Additional mobile clinic sites will be announced on the health department’s social media accounts throughout the week.
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**Photo caption: Kevin Hicks clears flood-damaged furniture from a home on Witcher Creek Road in Belle, W.Va. on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch)