With the arrival of water from North Carolina and Virginia resulting from Hurricane Helene, the levels of a Southern West Virginia lake will be higher than usual for the next several weeks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said in a news release Monday. 

Bluestone Lake crested Sunday evening at 1493.7 feet, up from its summer levels of 1410 feet, the Army Corps said. 

Bluestone Dam helps regulate water from a 4,600 square-mile basin drained by the New River, which starts in North Carolina and crosses Southwestern Virginia before coming into West Virginia. 

Flash flooding from Hurricane Helene devastated communities in the southern United States, particularly in Western North Carolina. The death toll from the storm had reached at least 121 by Monday, with more expected as emergency officials reached cut off areas, according to reporting by the Associated Press. 

Bluestone Dam is located directly upstream from the city of Hinton, the county seat of Summers County. Hinton city manager Cris Meadows told West Virginia Watch Monday morning that there were no flooding issues in the city. 

“The dam did what it was supposed to,” Meadows said. “Unfortunately when it does that, there is a lot of debris behind it that will have to be dealt with at some point.”

The dam is designed and continues to reduce flooding to several downstream communities, including Hinton, Thurmond, Kanawha Falls, Montgomery, Cabin Creek, Charleston, St. Albans, Winfield, Buffalo and Point Pleasant, the Army Corps said. It also reduces flood risks to communities along the Ohio River.

Dam operations did not have an impact on flash flooding upstream in Western North Carolina and Southwestern Virginia, the Army Corps said. 

The lake was at 1493.6 feet Monday afternoon and falling slowly, the Army Corps said. 

“We do not anticipate opening the crest gates on top of the dam,” the release said. “Huntington District Dam Safety personnel remain on-site to monitor the performance of the dam through this event. “

As part of the ongoing commitment to tackling the complex challenges of opioid use disorder, the WVU Health Affairs Institute has announced the statewide deployment of the CHESS Health Companion app. 

Designed to empower families and other loved ones of individuals struggling with opioid use disorder, this initiative is supported by the West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Behavioral Health, State Opioid Response grant through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The app features a digital community where families and others can connect, share experiences and learn from those facing similar challenges. In addition, the app offers a comprehensive library of educational content, virtual meetings, daily reflections and navigation to additional resources designed to support recovery.

West Virginia residents can sign up for the free Companion app at Help & Hope West Virginia. As the first state to deploy the Companion app, West Virginia will actively survey users to ensure the app meets their support needs.

Considering the urgent need for recovery resources, West Virginia has partnered with CHESS Health, an industry leader in digital health solutions for opioid use disorder, since 2020. This partnership led to the deployment of the Connections app shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began, effectively addressing the heightened isolation and barriers to recovery support during that time.

Building on this foundation, CHESS Health worked closely with the WVU Health Affairs Institute to develop the Companion app, incorporating insights from physicians and clinicians across the state as key consultants. Importantly, this new app operates independently of the Connections app, ensuring the privacy and autonomy of both individuals in recovery and their support systems.

Recognizing the critical role that digital support plays in the recovery journey, Jonathan Young of the Health Affairs Institute emphasized the importance of providing resources for families.

“For every person with OUD and other addictions, multiple family members and others face their own emotional trauma,” Young said. “Knowledge about what addiction is and what treatment resources are available empowers people to help loved ones facing addiction. The Companion app will provide families and others with essential resources and support, addressing their needs during these challenging times.”

Mosaic Group, a nationally recognized consulting firm behind the West Virginia Families Strong program, provided valuable feedback and market insights that informed the app’s development. 

“Rolling out the CHESS Health Companion app statewide is a significant step forward in West Virginia’s strong commitment to support families affected by substance use,” said Marla Oros, founder and CEO of Mosaic Group. “We commend the West Virginia University Health Affairs Institute for its forward-leaning leadership in deploying this innovative and essential tool and are proud of the impact of our families strong model in West Virginia and in other communities nationwide. At Mosaic Group, we believe in empowering individuals and communities with solutions that are effective, accessible and compassionate.”

The Companion app exemplifies this approach.

“Recovery from OUD and other addictions is multi-faceted, and loved ones play a crucial role,” said CHESS Health CEO Hans Morefield. “This app will equip families and others with the information and help they need to stay strong and care for themselves during the recovery process.”

WVU Health Affairs Institute is a nonpartisan organization that provides expert services in progressive health data analytics, public impact research, and program implementation and evaluation in collaboration with government agencies, foundations, and nonprofit organizations to inform the advancement of health at the local, state and national levels. 

CHESS Health partners with health care providers, community organizations, state and local governments, and health plans to amplify their impact by helping them reach and engage individuals at the moments that matter with evidence-based digital health solutions that span the entire lifecycle of opioid use disorder management — from prevention and intervention to treatment and recovery. 

The West Virginia Department of Health’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is expanding the “I’m a WIC Kid” campaign. This initiative seeks to connect with adults who were once WIC participants as children to highlight the long-term benefits of the program and how it has shaped their lives.

“For many, WIC has been more than just a nutrition program — it has been a stepping stone towards a healthier and more secure future,” said Heidi Staats, Director of the Office of Nutrition Services. “As someone who used WIC for my son and continues to be involved as a foster-adoptive parent, I know firsthand how this program helps shape our approach to food and health.”

The “I’m a WIC Kid” campaign aims to illustrate the enduring positive impact of WIC on individuals’ lives. By sharing stories from adults who participated in WIC as children, the campaign seeks to demonstrate how early support and education from the program contribute to developing lifelong healthy habits and well-being.

“We believe that by sharing these personal experiences, we can connect with families who might benefit from WIC services today,” said Staats. “Highlighting the experiences of West Virginians who have grown up with WIC will reinforce the message that WIC offers valuable support for anyone.”

The Department of Health invites other former WIC participants to share their stories for potential inclusion in the campaign. Interested individuals can submit their stories via the following link or email wvwicstories@gmail.com.

WIC is a public health nutrition program that provides free benefits to pregnant women, new moms, and families with children up to age 5. All WIC participants receive healthy foods, personalized nutrition advice, one-on-one breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services at no cost.

Since its inception in 1974, WIC has served more than 1.8 million West Virginians, providing services in every county. “WIC is your neighbor that welcomes becoming your partner to provide nutritious foods for your family. Currently, 57 West Virginia WIC clinics are serving 56.7% of eligible moms, babies and children,” Staats said. “With advances like electronic benefits, mobile pay at farmers markets, mobile apps for shopping and breastfeeding support, West Virginia is creating ways for WIC to fit in your daily life in hopes of reaching more eligible but not participating families. WIC is for you – and for many more people than most realize.”

For those interested in applying for WIC benefits, applications can be completed online at dhhr.wv.gov/wic or by calling 304-558-0030.