photo by: Emma Delk

Woodsdale residents Ahlayah McCardle, left, and Serenity Knight, watch Long Run water levels on Tuesday morning.

WHEELING — Seven people are now confirmed dead from Saturday’s flooding in Ohio County, with at least one person still listed as missing — and officials are warning residents to pay close attention to rain that may come today.

The seventh victim was located in Wetzel County near the New Martinsville Lock and Dam and was identified as Connie Veronis, 71, of Moundsville, according to Lou Vargo, director of the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency. Veronis’ husband, Michael Veronis, 74, had already been found and listed among the victims of the flood.

Other victims include Lisa McMasters, 59, Michael Bokanovich, 73; Kyleigh Minch Shotton, 26, her daughter, Parker Shotton, 3, and Travis Creighton, 19, all of Triadelphia.

Ohio County Chief Deputy Kent Lewis advises residents if they know someone who may be missing — even if the person has already been reported as missing — to report them again.

Those reporting the missing person should call 304-234-3695. They should be prepared to provide the missing person’s name, age, last known location and a callback number.

Representatives of the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, Wheeling Fire Department and the Wheeling Police Department came together for a joint press conference Tuesday afternoon at the City-County Building in downtown Wheeling to discuss flooding issues.

Tony Campbell, assistant director of the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, said “off and on” rain is expected throughout the day on Wednesday. It is expected as much as an inch of rain could fall in an hour. As much as four inches of rain fell in about 45 minutes after 8 p.m. on Saturday, causing the devastating flooding.

If Wednesday’s rain — while not predicted to be as strong — lingers in one spot, there’s a possibility flash flooding could happen again, according to Campbell.

“We’re advising everyone: If it rains in one area for over 20 minutes, you should start looking around to see if you have any rise in your creeks or streams,” he said.

If that’s the case, both the police department and the sheriff’s department will attempt to notify the public of danger, either through social media or the department’s website. Local news media will also be notified.

Campbell then addressed the issue of the Federal Emergency Management Agency responding to the scene in Ohio County. While city, county and state declarations of emergency have been issued, a presidential designation is now needed, according to Campbell.

“Once there is a presidential declaration, that’s when FEMA will come and start doing what they do,” he explained.

Campbell said what is now needed for all those experiencing property damage due to the flooding to fill out a survey at emd.wv.gov/disastersruvey. That informs FEMA that an incident has occurred, and that there is a need for assistance.

Also, property owners should document all damage before they start repairs so that FEMA knows the full extent of damage experienced, he added.

“It’s OK to start taking things out, but you have to document everything you do,” Campbell said.

While a QR code to the survey is being passed to victims, officials realize many don’t have access to technology at this time. Volunteers will be coming to homes with iPads to assist, or those affected may call 211 to access the survey.

A large number of volunteers from religious organizations are coming to the area next week to assist with repairs and do mold remediation in damaged homes. This will all be free to the public, according to Campbell. West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster (VOAD), which assigns volunteers to where they are needed, is also sending volunteers next week, he added.

Meanwhile, vehicles lodged in the water near the bridge at Junior Avenue have all been removed, and the span is now open, according to officials

But a strong stench of chemicals and concerns about environmental impact remain.

“The DEP has been working with us, that would be a question for them,” said Assistant Fire Chief Deric Jamison. “We are aware that there are chemicals and spills that have gone into the water.”

That is one of the reasons why the debris can’t be directly taken to the landfill, he continued.

“It has to be separated and properly disposed of,” Jamison said. “The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) will be actively involved in that.”

The State Department of Natural Resources also will be consulted, added Lewis.

Debris from the flood is being taken to the county’s recycling center at The Highlands.

“There will be an inspector there, and they take everything and separate it,” Lewis said.. “Sometimes they have a refrigerator or a stove, and all those things have to be separated.”

The Army Corps of Engineers will be utilizing another dumping site. Campbell advises all residents to place their debris at curbside for pickup.

Philip Stahl, public information officer for the city of Wheeling, announced a third location for those needing to get tetanus shots has been set up at the Valley Grove Fire Department. The shots also are being offered at the Wheeling Ohio-County Health Department at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., and at the emergency operations center set up at the Riesbeck’s parking lot in Elm Grove.

The following roads in Ohio County are remain closed or are restricted, and officials ask they not be traveled as clean up and road repairs take place: Warden Run Road, Shilling Bridge, Lumber Avenue, US 40/National Road from Triadelphia to Valley Grove; GC&P Road; Middle Creek Road (Ohio County); Peters Run Road; Dixon Run Road; Short Creek Road; McGraw’s Run Road; Atkinson Crossing, Battle Run Road and Point Run Road.

If anyone needs assistance in home or yard clean-up, they should call Rapid Response Teams of Pennsylvania at 330-473-5699. This is a free service, according to information provided by Stahl.

Appalachian Power is working to restore power to hundreds of homes in the Triadelphia/Valley Grove area. Several utility poles were damaged, as well as a substation. A mobile substation has been set up to provide power to those who can receive it in the town of Triadelphia. Information on the restoration efforts can be found at AppalachianPower.com.

Errika Storch, external affairs manager for Appalachian Power, reported that as of 5 p.m. Tuesday there were still 400 customers without power in Ohio County, with most being in the Triadelphia area. She said most were expected to be back on line by 11 p.m. Tuesday, but restoration would not be safe for some customers.

“If their lines were submerged, additional work would have to be done before we can restore power,” Storch explained.