MCDOWELL COUNTY, W. Va. -Although the flood water in McDowell County have been receding, they have taken a lot with them, leaving behind damage that residents are doing their best to repair.
With their location above the swollen rivers, many bridges across the county were left damaged as well or in some cases, completely destroyed.
For some residents, these bridges are their only road access to jobs or school, such as the case for Tracy Castle in Havaco, whose bridge now lies at the bottom of Tug River
“Only way in and out, unless you walk down the tracks or walk up the tracks…” says Castle, “…I have a daughter that lives up the road… up the bottom here. She has a little eleven-year-old boy. He can’t even get out to go back to school if they go back to school.”
This issue is getting complicated by the fact that Castle, like others in the county, used a private bridge, which may not get the same level of funding that the bridges managed by the Department of Highways will. This has caused the McDowell County Office of Emergency Services to turn to the community for help restoring the private bridges across the county, asking for materials, funding, or volunteers.
West Virginia Delegate David Green tells us, for many of these residents, these bridges are very important, with Castle expressing concern for her seventy-two-year-old husband if an emergency should arise.
“My husband has prescriptions at Walgreens, and he has to have these eyedrops to keep the pressure down in his eyes, and he has lost one eye…” says Castle, “…if something were to happen here, there’s no way of us getting out of here. There’s no way for a rescue squad to get here.”
Castle says she doesn’t need help with her flooded basement or her dog kennel; the only thing she needs is her bridge raised from the water again.
The McDowell County Office of Emergency Services is asking for bridge building materials like drainage pipes, beams, or supports, as well as equipment to help put everything together again. Those wanting to help can drop off materials at the abandoned Walmart in Kimball.
If you would like to donate your time, they are welcoming volunteers as well.
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