CHARLESTON – Senate President Bill Cole, R-Mercer, this morning encouraged members of the West Virginia Legislature to come together to support local flood relief efforts.

“As we learned overnight, the situation continues to be dire in many places – the worst many of these counties have seen in decades,” Senate President Cole said. “We must continue to keep those who have been affected in our prayers, and we all must come together now to help our fellow West Virginians and support the first responders who have been working in dangerous conditions to bring people to safety.”

The American Red Cross so far has set up relief shelters in Kanawha, Roane, and Pocahontas Counties. Other local churches and charitable organizations are also assisting with the relief efforts. To learn more about ways to help, contact the West Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross at 304-340-3650. Common items that are needed to help residents during flood relief efforts include non-perishable food, water, toiletries, and cleaning supplies like mops and bleach.

A list of county Emergency Operations Centers is available at their website.

“Our state’s Emergency Operations Center is doing a tremendous job monitoring the flooding, and I thank Governor Tomblin for activating the National Guard to help,” Senate President Cole said. “I encourage all West Virginians to continue to be careful in the following days as the state recovers from this historic weather event.”