Helping hands: Local communities aid victims of deadly flash floods in W.Va.
Canonsburg Ambulance Service paramedic Megan Graham was midway through a 24-hour shift on Saturday night when her husband, Levi, an off-duty advanced EMT at Canonsburg Ambulance, got a call from their next-door neighbor in West Alexander that water was rising fast in his home.
The Grahams set out through high waters to bring their neighbor and his 1-year-old son to safety.
“Our road was virtually impassable, but we got them out,” said Graham.
Megan Graham ended up returning to the Canonsburg station, but later that night, she and her husband – both firefighters with West Alexander Volunteer Fire Department – were called to Ohio County, W.Va., just over the Pennsylvania line, where torrential rainfall had caused flash floods that killed at least seven people.
Among those who died were Kyleigh Minch Shotton, 26, and her 3-year-old daughter, Parker Shotton, of Triadelphia, W.Va. Two people remained missing Tuesday afternoon.
As much as four inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling, W.Va., and Ohio County in less than an hour, according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh.
The Grahams worked into the early hours of Sunday morning evacuating people from floodwaters.
“We spent that night and the morning searching and getting people evacuated,” said Megan Graham. “Honestly, it’s catastrophic. There’s no other way to describe it. Our hearts go out to all of the victims. It’s an absolute tragedy.”
The Grahams, it turns out, wear another hat: They also own Creekwater Farms Scratch Kitchen, a restaurant that, as its name implies, features recipes made from scratch.
When they aren’t helping with rescue efforts, Megan and Levi have been in the kitchen, on Route 40 in West Alexander, cooking homestyle dinners for victims and first responders.
They also have been collecting supplies and donations, and as first responders have been able to navigate the flooded areas to provide relief to victims who are cut off from essential supplies.
Valley Grove, W.Va., Mayor Chad Kleeh expressed gratitude Tuesday for the surrounding communities that have stepped forward to help in search-and-rescue and recovery efforts.
“I’d like to express how grateful I am for everyone in the community and the surrounding communities who are helping. This community has come together so great. There are neighbors helping neighbors,” said Kleeh. “People in the surrounding communities have been bringing equipment down to help, they’re bringing side-by-sides and supplies, doing welfare checks. It’s amazing how many people are helping and lending a hand, and the restaurants and businesses that are bringing food and equipment are overwhelming. There’s still a lot of cleanup to do, and we need squeegees, shovels and buckets, push brooms, and Clorox and wipes.”
As residents in Ohio County begin to recover following Saturday’s catastrophic floods, several organizations and businesses, in addition to Creekwater Farms Scratch Kitchen, have stepped forward to offer aid for victims.
West Alexander Fair is collecting donations at its food court on the fairgrounds. They are collecting water, cleaning supplies, first-aid supplies, personal hygiene supplies, and paper products.
“That’s our community that was affected,” said fair secretary Barbara Reed. “Everyone that comes to our fair knows someone who was affected or is someone affected. Some of them lost everything. We help each other – that’s what we do.”
Reed said the fair was hosting its annual steak fry Saturday when heavy rains began.
“It rained for an hour straight, and then it stopped, and the steak fry resumed. We had no idea until later, after we got home, what had happened to the communities around us,” said Reed.
Creekwater Farms Scratch Kitchen is working with West Alexander Fair to collect supplies and is distributing hot meals to the flood zone. Additionally, all donations made to “The Wayne,” a pay-it-forward option on the restaurant’s menu, will be used to deliver hot meals and water to people in need in the flood zone.
Other items that have been requested include wader boots, squeegees, shovels, rakes, brooms, garbage bags, heavy-duty extension cords, and baby wipes. The Grahams have started a boot drive.
Donations can be dropped off at Creekwater Farms or at West Alexander Fair fairgrounds.
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Department is helping to deliver supplies to areas impacted by the floods.
“We’re going into outlying areas where the only way to get to them is on foot. We’re literally boots on the ground,” said Graham. “No matter how high or how low, we’re getting there and asking what they need and we’re getting it to them.”
Bubba’s Burghers at the Highlands in Triadelphia, W.Va., is collecting water, supplies, and donations through Thursday. Anyone who donates supplies will receive 20% off their food bill. Also, first responders helping with flood efforts will be provided with a free meal.
On its Facebook page, radio personality Bubba Snider, who also co-owns Bubba’s Burghers in Southpointe, noted that the restaurant will make a monetary donation to team members who were impacted by the floods.
The Gretna Green Cafe on Main Street in West Alexander is providing free coffee for first responders. It held a bingo event on Monday, with all proceeds going to relief efforts, and is also collecting cleaning supplies to distribute to victims.
Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department organized a fundraiser to collect supplies, including shovels, rakes, brooms, rubber gloves, paper towels, bleach, toilet paper, flashlights and phone chargers.
Donations can be made to the fire station from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. through Friday.
“We try to help people on their worst days, when they’re having the toughest times,” said Canonsburg fire Chief Tim Solobay. “What little bit we can do to help collect some products to be able to help them get back on their feet, that’s what this is all about.”
Canon-McMillan School District also made a donation.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey has called for volunteers to assist with flood recovery efforts, and also warned people to beware of flood recovery-related scams.
He said people who want to help with cleanup efforts should contact the American Red Cross, the United Way, and West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.
Graham said recovery efforts will likely take months, if not longer.
“It is like a war zone,” said Graham. “There are roads completely gone. There were houses that were picked up off their foundation and swept into the creek. It was scary, but we were worried about getting everyone to safety.”
On its Facebook page, the Grahams are posting the needs of people they’re encountering – on Tuesday, they found an elderly woman stranded in her home after a bridge leading to her house was swept away. Another couple was stuck on the top floor of their home after the staircase was destroyed.
Graham said the restaurant is closing temporarily so the couple can focus on helping with recovery efforts.
“We feel compelled to help our neighbors in such a time of need, and that’s exactly what we’re going to continue to do,” said Graham, who spent part of Tuesday cooking several pounds of pasta and homemade meatballs. “The National Guard and local law enforcement are doing a wonderful job, and neighboring departments are doing everything they can. Everyone is helping. Everybody is doing everything they can. But there is a lot of work ahead. This is going to be a marathon, this is not a sprint. We suggest that people pace their aid. This is going to take months.”