WEST VIRGINIA (SWVO) – Let’s talk about the amazing people of southern West Virginia, and the state as a whole.
This summer has been rough, tornados, flooding, severe thunderstorms, most of the state can’t seem to catch a break.
Earlier this week, it all hit closer to home. Just as our friends to the north were cleaning up the devastation caused by flooding, the south was taking its hit from Mother Nature.
Just as people were waking up to go to church or work on Sunday morning, the rain came and it came hard. Within minutes, water was rushing out of creeks, down roadways, and into homes across southern parts of the state, primarily in Fayette County.
It seemingly came out of nowhere, but people tried to act as fast as they could. Neighbors were helping neighbors get to higher ground, get through already high water, and take what little they could before the water got into their home.
We crisscrossed Fayette County on Sunday documenting what had occurred and speaking with individuals who witnessed the waters rage.
We noticed something that touched us… they weren’t complaining, crying, or giving up. Some who had just lost parts of their own property were out helping others.
There was no waiting on the government to come help, these were everyday West Virginians with their tractors and chainsaws out clearing roadways and driveways of debris. They weren’t asked or paid to do it, they just did it. You don’t see that very much anymore.
Then you would have strangers asking you if you were okay, and if you needed any help… willing to give you the shirt off their back even though they had just met you.
You had local businesses coming in and doing what they could to help like Pinheads Bowling Alley in Oak Hill spending an entire day giving away free pizza and pepperoni rolls to flood victims and first responders.
You also had Fayette County Commissioner Chuck Miller getting a group of dedicated community members together to build a temporary bridge to the county animal shelter to rescue multiple dogs and cats after floodwaters washed away the only access bridge.
These acts do not go unnoticed. While most only see the devastation in the media, it’s these acts of kindness and selflessness that get lost in the headlines.
Many West Virginians are struggling right now in all parts of the state, but after every disaster, you feel a sense of optimism from these very people who lose everything… many ask how… It’s their faith, the mindset that you don’t give up and if you come together as a community, a lot can be achieved as we are seeing now.
The photos attached are an example of the attitude of that day. Families watched as water washed away years of memories and hard work… but in the end hope always arises for us here in West Virginia.
After the utter devastation we witnessed Sunday, on our way back home we noticed the sky beginning to clear with a rainbow shining over the New River Gorge that evening… symbolizing all that we have mentioned here.
West Virginians are strong. They do not give up. And just like they have done since 1863, they will recover and they will rebuild.
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