West Virginia post helps neighbors affected by floods

While Kenova, W. Va., was spared the brunt of flooding that killed 23 people and damaged thousands of homes in late June, nearby towns weren’t so fortunate.

Members of American Legion Post 93 in Kenova acted quickly to lend their neighbors a helping hand.

“Clendenin just down the road, they got hit real hard,” said Post 93 Commander Tom Hayes.

Post members, Legion Riders and Sons of the American Legion, along with several local businesses, donated and collected cleaning supplies and bottled water to take to folks in Clendenin and Richwood, nearby towns devastated by the flooding. The truckload of supplies included mold remover, buckets, mops and garbage bags.

Post 93 was also collecting monetary donations to help those affected by the floods.

“We’re just trying to help them out,” Hayes said. “(That’s part of the Legion), help out people in time of need.”

An estimated 2,500 homes were damaged and about 1,500 homes destroyed in the aftermath of heavy rains on June 23-24 which brought the Elk River swelling to an all-time high.