Voluntary evacuation order issued for the town of Marlinton due to rising water levels

MARLINTON, WV (WVNS) — A voluntary evacuation order was issued for the town of Marlinton in Pocahontas County due to potential flood risks caused by rising water levels.

According to a post on the Pocahontas County Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Facebook page, a voluntary evacuation order was issued for the town of Marlinton in Pocahontas County due to water levels of the Greenbrier River that are expected to rise.

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In the link provided by Pocahontas County Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s Facebook page, people can go to Marlinton Middle School for shelter.

Due to expected rising water levels of the Greenbrier River caused by rain, the town of Marlinton will be closed to reentry until the water levels return to a safe level. The expected maximum height for the Greenbrier River at Marlinton is around 11.5 feet.

The Pocahontas County Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s link advised residents of 2nd and 3rd Ave, South of 9th street, to keep an eye on the river level and to make any necessary arrangements before it is too late.

A statement about the voluntary evacuation order was also posted on the Greenbrier County Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Summers County WV 911 Center’s Facebook pages:

Before people start sharing and making “they are evacuating Marlinton” posts, please understand Marlinton has a specific area that will more than likely see some minor flooding. It’s not washing Marlinton away.
We have been monitoring this information and communicating with them and Greenbrier River communities since early yesterday evening and all day today. Based on predictions and events thus far, Greenbrier will be ok!
Our office is monitoring and will communicate updates, but as always, be prepared if you live near the river and do not wait until you cannot evacuate safely. Our monitors in Renick, Caldwell, Ronceverte, and Alderson are working to keep you informed.
Greenbrier County Homeland Security and Emergency Management | Facebook

At the present time, we are not expecting any flooding on the Greenbrier, Bluestone, and New Rivers in Summers County.
The Current forecast on the Alderson Gauge is for a crest of 12.60 feet, which is 1.4 feet below flood stage, and the current gauge height is 6.65 feet. The Greenbrier River at Hilldale is currently at 8.08 feet (No forecasts are provided at that station). The Bluestone River at Pipestem is currently at 5.87 feet (No forecasts are provided at that station).
We expect all gauge locations in our area to remain below flood stage based off the rainfall amounts thus far.
Summers County WV 911 Center | Facebook

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