Albert Wright serves as president and chief govt officer at West Virginia College Well being System.
Mr. Wright will serve on the panel “Tutorial Medical Facilities in 2023: Key Methods, Points and Partnerships” at Becker’s tenth Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable. As a part of an ongoing collection, Becker’s is speaking to healthcare leaders who plan to talk on the roundtable, which can happen in Chicago from Nov. 7-10, 2022.
To be taught extra concerning the convention and Mr. Wright’s session, click on right here.
Becker’s Healthcare goals to foster peer-to-peer dialog between healthcare’s brightest leaders and thinkers. In that vein, responses to our Speaker Sequence are revealed straight from interviewees. Here’s what our audio system needed to say.
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Query: What’s the smartest factor you have carried out within the final 12 months to set your system up for achievement?
Mr. Wright: Over the previous a number of years, we’ve constructed many profitable partnerships with a number of impartial group and important entry hospitals throughout West Virginia and the broader area. These partnerships have finally led to these hospitals becoming a member of our well being system as full members. This has been a win-win for everybody concerned: The group and important entry hospitals have a brand new associate that may allow them to proceed serving their communities, however in new and expanded methods, and the well being system advantages from creating further entry factors into its community of suppliers. As we speak, we’re a well being system with 19 hospitals in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio.
Q: What are you most enthusiastic about proper now and what considerations you essentially the most?
AW: I’m most excited concerning the West Virginia College Well being System serving as a spark that ignites significant, optimistic and lasting adjustments to the well being trajectory of West Virginia. Many West Virginians of all ages are burdened with vital well being points, and the state continuously ranks poorly in a number of key well being outcomes. To alter that course, we’ve made vital investments to develop our entry and community of hospitals and clinics, in addition to their packages and providers. We’ve been particularly targeted on recruiting suppliers in a wide range of specialties and subspecialties, increasing our telehealth and outreach clinics to achieve essentially the most distant components of the state, and in September, we’ll open a brand new, 150-bed kids’s hospital on our principal campus in Morgantown, W.V. In tandem with the investments in our folks, packages, and infrastructure, we’ve additionally launched a medical health insurance firm in partnership with Marshall Well being and Mountain Well being Community. That new firm, which we’ve named Peak Well being, will assist carry all these items collectively by constructing an inclusive, provider-led well being plan to assist West Virginians dwell more healthy and fuller lives.
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I stay most involved about our workforce members and the stresses they face in any respect ranges of the group throughout some very unsettling occasions. I do know we’re not alone in that regard – the previous few years have harassed us all. Greater than ever, leaders in any respect ranges should be seen, extremely engaged, accessible, and empathetic.
Q: How are you desirous about development and investments for the following 12 months or two?
AW: Our strategic choices are guided by one, easy query: Are we assembly our mission as the educational well being system of the land-grant college of the state of West Virginia? If the reply is not any, then that’s the place we focus our power and assets. As a land-grant establishment, West Virginia College has a particular place within the hearts of all West Virginians, and because the college’s affiliated well being system, our obligation is to make sure that West Virginians have quick access to a complete community of care.
Q: What’s going to healthcare executives should be efficient leaders for the following 5 years?
AW: Be genuine and plainspoken; be accessible and type; join instantly along with your workforce members in any respect ranges – from these working bedside to these engaged on the loading dock. Take heed to their ideas and suggestions; empower them to make choices; problem them to take dangers; and ensure they know you’ve got their backs.
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Q: How are you constructing resilient and numerous groups?
AW: The ups and downs of the pandemic have taught all of us to be extra resilient and nimble. What I’ve been most impressed with is how shortly our groups have tailored to the sudden and disruptive adjustments that the pandemic compelled upon us. By all these ups and downs, our workforce didn’t miss a beat. They’re wonderful folks. While you see such excellent efficiency throughout a disaster, that cuts to tradition, and on the West Virginia College Well being System, we work arduous to nurture and maintain a tradition that faucets into the grit and fortitude inherent on this a part of the world whereas inspiring folks in any respect ranges of the group to do nice issues.
The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation said they’re actively responding to a water shortage at Mount Olive Correctional Facility on Thursday.
The issue stemming from operational problems impacting the water supply from the local public service districts.
WVDCR said that they’ve gotten portable potable water tanks that they will use for cooking, as well as water bottles and portable stations for handwashing and showering – to insure that health and safety protocols are being met to ensure the safety of inmates and staff at the facility.
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Commissioner David Kelly released the following statement:
“We have health and safety protocols in place to ensure the well-being of those entrusted to our care. Our staff is actively coordinating with local partners and bringing in necessary resources while the Public Service District and West Virginia American Water work to resolve the operational issues affecting water supply.”
A spokesperson for West Virginia American Water told Eyewitness News that they are working with Kanawha Falls Public Service District and Gauley River Public Service District to identify the cause of the shortage and help make the necessary repairs to alleviate the issue.
Meet the West Virginia Mountaineers football 2026 commitments
Get to know each of the West Virginia Mountaineers football commitments in the 2026 recruiting class with this feature from WVSports.com.
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Committed: June 23
Dallas (Tx.) South Oak Cliff safety Rickey Giles moved onto the West Virginia radar in April when safeties coach Gabe Franklin extended a scholarship offer and things continued to build from that point. The Lone Star state product took an official visit to Morgantown June 13-15 and committed to the program a little over a week after that. The versatile defensive back is slotted as a safety in the West Virginia scheme and picked the Mountaineers over offers from Utah, Purdue, Oregon State, San Diego State, Boise State, Memphis and a number of others.
2026 safety Giles commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
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Highlights
Committed: June 22
Nitro (W.Va.) wide receiver Malachi Thompson had been on the West Virginia radar for quite some time but earned a scholarship offer from the Mountaineers following and impressive performance at the first 7-on-7 camp of the summer. Thompson impressed throughout the event and was offered by wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett. The in-state prospect then took an official visit to Morgantown in late June and committed to the Mountaineers following the experience. Thompson caught 74 passes for 1,590 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior and was selected as the Randy Moss Award winner last year. Thompson also held offers from Ohio, Marshall and more.
2026 WR Thompson commits to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
2026 in-state WR Thompson competes at West Virginia 7-on-7
Highlights
Committed: June 21
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Upper Marlboro (Md.) St. Frances offensive lineman Lamarcus Dillard received an offer from West Virginia early in the process but things heated up when he took an official visit to campus during June. That led to his commitment to the program giving the Mountaineers an athletic interior option that plays the game physically. Dillard picked the Mountaineers over offers from Miami (Fla.), Maryland, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, UCF, Syracuse and Boston College, among others.
2026 OL Dillard commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
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Committed: June 20
Burlington (Ma.) Dexter Southfield wide receiver Charlie Hanafin earned a scholarship offer from West Virginia after an impressive camp performance. Wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett extended a scholarship offer and developed a strong relationship with him. Hanafin took an official visit to campus June 18-20 and announced his commitment to the Mountaineers football program. Hanafin is a talented wide receiver that earned his offer at camp and picked the program over Boston College and a number of others.
2026 WR Hanafin commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 WR Hanafin earns offer from West Virginia
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Highlights
Committed: June 16
Orlando (Fla.) Evans cornerback Emari Peterson received a scholarship from West Virginia in May during the evaluation period and things progressed from that point. The long, fluid cornerback took an official visit to Morgantown June 13-15 and then announced his commitment to the program following the trip. Peterson was recruited by cornerbacks coach Rod West and also held scholarship offers from Texas A&M, LSU, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, South Florida, Liberty, East Carolina and several others.
2026 Florida CB Peterson commits to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 15
Cincinnati (Oh.) Withrow offensive lineman Justyn Lyles received an offer from West Virginia in March after offensive line coach Jack Bicknell. Things picked up from there culminating in his official visit to Morgantown June 13-15 where he committed to the Mountaineers following the trip. Lyles is a long, athletic offensive tackle body that also collected offers from Maryland, Tulsa, Ohio, Miami (Oh.), Marshall, Buffalo, Massachusetts, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green and Ball State, among others.
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West Virginia adds commitment from 2026 Ohio OL Lyles
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 15
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Miami (Okla.) Northeastern Oklahoma A&M linebacker Aaron Edwards had been in communication with West Virginia for quite some time led by defensive coordinator Zac Alley as well as nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich. That only intensified after the Mountaineers extended a scholarship offer to Edwards a week before his June 13-15 scheduled official visit to campus. Edwards took that trip and then committed to the Mountaineers giving the program a versatile and athletic defender. The Oklahoma native should have two years of eligibility remaining and is set to graduate in December.
JUCO 2026 LB Aaron Edwards announces commitment to WVU
Commitment 101
With offer in hand, JUCO LB Edwards ready for West Virginia official visit
JUCO LB Edwards sets West Virginia official visit date
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Highlights
Committed: June 15
Niceville (Fla.) wide receiver Robert Stith received a scholarship offer from West Virginia in February and things only continued to build there between the Mountaineers coaching staff and the talented pass catcher. Wide receivers coach Ryan Garrett served as the lead recruiter for Stith and he took an official visit during the June 13-15 weekend. That trip led to a commitment giving the program a big outside wide receiver. Stith selected the program over a number of other offers that included Michigan State, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Kansas State, South Florida, Tulane.
2026 WR Robert Stith announces commitment to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
2026 WR Robert Stith intrigued by West Virginia offer
Highlights
Committed: June 15
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Athens (Tn.) McMinn County offensive lineman Camden Goforth had been highly interested in the West Virginia football program since they first got involved in the winter. Things continued to progress between the two and eventually offensive line coach Jack Bicknell extended a scholarship offer in May after seeing him during the evaluation period. Goforth would initially commit to Coastal Carolina following an official visit there at the beginning of June, but after taking an official visit to Morgantown during the June 13-15 weekend elected to flip his pledge. Goforth is being targeted as an interior offensive lineman by the Mountaineers and brings versatility.
West Virginia lands commitment from 2026 OL Goforth
Commitment 101
2026 OL Goforth now holds West Virginia offer
2026 OL Goforth ready for West Virginia official visit
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Highlights
Committed: June 11
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Palm Beach Central linebacker Antoine Sharp had been committed to UCF since April but West Virginia remained persistent. That began when the program extended a scholarship offer to Sharp in January from defensive coordinator Zac Alley and continued throughout the spring. The athletic linebacker elected to take an official visit to Morgantown June 6-8 and after the trip flipped his commitment to the Mountaineers. Sharp also held offers from Florida State, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Indiana and more. He is coming off a season where he recorded 133 tackles with 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and interception.
2026 Florida LB Antoine Sharp flips commitment to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Montgomery (Ala.) Montgomery Catholic linebacker Miles Khatri received an offer from West Virginia in mid-January after the new coaching staff arrived and things only continued to build from that point. Khatri was offered by nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich and took an official visit to campus June 6-8. The defensive athlete then committed to the Mountaineers giving the program a versatile option. Khatri is coming off a season where he recorded 117 tackles and 4 sacks.
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2026 Alabama LB Miles Khatri commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Highlights
Committed: June 9
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Lake Oswego (Ore.) Lakeridge defensive lineman Noah Tishendorf initially committed to Oregon State in March and the Mountaineers offered the following day. From that point forward West Virginia became a major factor in his recruitment led by the efforts of defensive coordinator Zac Alley and defensive assistant Jake Casteel. Alley traveled out to see Tishendorf during the evaluation period and then he scheduled an official visit to campus June 6-8. That trip and his connection with the staff led to him flipping his commitment to the West Virginia football program. Tishendorf is being recruited as a bandit in the Mountaineers scheme and recorded 20 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior.
2026 pass rusher Noah Tishendorf flips commitment to West Virginia
Commitment 101
Committed pass rusher Noah Tishendorf talks West Virginia
Highlights
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Committed: June 9
Moody (Ala.) defensive lineman Cameron Mallory received a scholarship offer from West Virginia in February and things only continued to develop between the two. Defensive line coach William Green served as the lead recruiter and actually recruited Mallory while he was at Jacksonville State. That connection led to an official visit to campus June 6-8 and he would commit to the Mountaineers following the trip. Mallory picked West Virginia over offers from Missouri, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati and a number of others. The Alabama native is coming off a very productive junior season and could fit into several different positions up front.
2026 DL Cam Mallory commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
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2026 DL Cameron Mallory adds West Virginia to offer list
Highlights
Committed: June 9
Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep offensive lineman Rhett Morris had been on the West Virginia radar since the previous coaching staff but things between the two picked up in the spring with offensive line coach Jack Bicknell visiting him. Morris then scheduled an official visit to Morgantown June 6-8 and committed to the program following the trip. Morris is an interior offensive lineman that selected the Mountaineers over offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College and others. Morris had initially committed to Wake Forest but backed off that pledge and the Mountaineers were able to secure his commitment a few months later.
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2026 OL Rhett Morris commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 OL Morris sets spring visit to West Virginia
Highlights
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Committed: June 9
Philadelphia (Pa.) St. Joseph’s defensive back Simaj Hill moved squarely on the radar for West Virginia during the evaluation period when cornerbacks coach Rod West stopped by his school. From that point forward Hill became a key target for the Mountaineers and that led to his official visit to campus June 6-8. Hill would then flip his pledge from James Madison to West Virginia giving the program a versatile defensive back that is smooth in coverage. Hill picked the Mountaineers over offers from N.C. State, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Connecticut, Liberty and James Madison.
2026 DB Simaj Hill picks West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DB Simaj Hill adds West Virginia offer
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Highlights
Committed: June 8
Fresno (Ca.) Fresno City C.C. defensive back Jaylon Jones moved onto the West Virginia radar in the spring and things heated up further after safeties coach Gabe Franklin stopped in to see him during the evaluation period. The junior college prospect then took an official visit to West Virginia June 6-8 and announced his commitment to the program at the end of the trip. Jones is a versatile cover safety that is coming off a freshman season here he recorded five interceptions. Jones has three years remaining.
JUCO DB Jones commits to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
Highlights
Wellington (Fla.) Palm Beach Central linebacker Cameron Dwyer has been on the West Virginia target list since early in the process with defensive coordinator Zac Alley offering him a scholarship in January after coming over to the program. The athletic, quick linebacker immediately became a priority for the Mountaineers and developed a strong relationship with the coaching staff. Dwyer collected other offers from Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, South Florida and more but committed to the Mountaineers giving the program a physical linebacker that fits the defensive scheme.
2026 LB Dwyer picks West Virginia
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Commitment 101
2026 LB Dwyer amped for West Virginia official visit
Highlights
Springfield (Oh.) athlete Taj Powell had been on the West Virginia radar for quite some time earning a scholarship offer Jan. 24 and making multiple visits to campus for the junior day event Feb. 1 and then for a spring practice in late March. The Mountaineers had always been high on the list for Powell but that only further increased once he was able to meet with and build a relationship with the coaching staff. Nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich served as the lead recruiter for Powell but several other coaches were involved. The versatile athlete could end up at several different positions on defense ranging from the nickel spot to the sam, but is a long, athletic defender that plays the game with aggression. Picked the Mountaineers over offers from Kentucky and others.
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2026 DB Powell commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DB Powell excited about developing relationship with West Virginia
Highlights
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Committed: April 10
Bixby (Okla.) defensive back Emory Snyder was offered by West Virginia Feb. 13 and things only continued to progress between the two leading to him taking a visit to campus March 10. That trip only further solidified the Mountaineers on his list and he would commit to the program a month later. Snyder is a long, athletic defensive back that is slated to play nickel for West Virginia although he could move to multiple positions. As a junior, Snyder recorded 45 tackles, 14 pass breakups, 6 interceptions and a forced fumble and drew a number of scholarship offers outside of the Mountaineers. Snyder was recruited by nickels/sams coach Henry Weinreich.
2026 DB Snyder commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 DB Snyder impressed with West Virginia offer
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Highlights
Committed: April 5
West Palm Beach (Fla.) Cardinal Newman quarterback Jyron Hughley already had strong ties to the West Virginia football program and that family connection played a role in committing to the Mountaineers. Hughley is the nephew of JaJuan Seider and also had strong ties with several staff members as well. The Florida quarterback was re-offered by the new West Virginia coaches in January and that was a big moment in his recruitment as the Mountaineers were targeting him as a quarterback. Hughley then took an unofficial visit over the March 29 weekend and would commit a few days later giving the football program a dynamic dual-threat quarterback option.
2026 QB Hughley commits to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
2026 QB Hughley gets special re-offer from West Virginia
Highlights
Committed: April 2
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Georgetown (Tx.) running back Jett Walker received an offer from West Virginia in late January and things only continued to build between him and the Big 12 Conference program. That led to an unofficial visit March 29 where he was able to not only get a look at the campus but the program as well. That led to his commitment a few days later with running backs coach Larry Porter serving as the lead recruiter. Walker rushed for 2,348 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry and earning District 8-5A most valuable player. He is expected to enroll at the mid-term.
2026 RB Walker commits to West Virginia
Commitment 101
2026 RB Walker talks West Virginia visit, plans for return
2026 RB Walker talks West Virginia offer
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Highlights
Committed: February 1
Cincinnati (Oh.) Moeller tight end Sam Hamilton had been on the West Virginia radar since the old coaching staff was in place and things only increased once the new staff took over. Holdover Blaine Stewart handled his initial recruitment, but tight ends coach Michael Nysewander assumed the lead role. Hamilton is a versatile two-way tight end that can not only block but catch the football. After taking a visit to the West Virginia junior day Feb. 1, Hamilton committed to the Mountaineers.
2026 TE Hamilton commits to West Virginia
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Commitment 101
2026 TE Hamilton has a good connection with West Virginia
Highlights
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Thousands of motorists were stranded for more than eight hours along a section of rural interstate highway in southern West Virginia early Friday after a mudslide caused by heavy rains blocked a storm drain the previous night, flooding and completely shutting down the northbound lanes.
Traffic backed up for 12 miles along the West Virginia Turnpike about 20 miles south of Charleston, the state capital. Traffic was not rerouted, and many motorists along the mountainous route had no choice but to remain in their vehicles overnight.
In this image provided by Nicky Walters, traffic is shown at a standstill Friday, June 27, 2025, along the West Virginia Turnpike south of Sharon, West Virginia.
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Nicky Walters via AP
One lane eventually opened in the early morning of Friday but traffic remained a standstill afterwards for hours, according to a statement provided to CBS News by West Virginia Department of Transportation spokesperson Jennifer Dooley.
“Traffic should have been detoured to allow drivers an alternate route around the mudslide,” Executive Director of the Parkways Authority Chuck Smith said in the statement. “The Parkways Authority takes full responsibility for the failure to reroute traffic, and would like to assure the public that this will never happen again.
No injuries were reported, Smith said, adding that the Parkways Authority is “examining and revising its policies on Turnpike closures and detours as a result of this incident.”
Motorists posted on social media that they had no information on why the standstill occurred, that they had nothing to drink in their vehicles or that their children needed to use the bathroom.
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Nicky Walters said in a telephone interview that she felt fortunate while she was stuck because she is healthy, did not not need medicine and had nobody she was responsible for caring for.
“But I felt desperate because I knew that other people needed help,” said Walters, who became stranded while returning to Charleston from a pro wrestling event in Mount Hope. “People needed, at minimum, water bottles passed out and some snacks, much less information. They needed any lifeline to the outside world, and there was none.”
By the time Brittany Lemon and her family finally got home to Parkersburg, 24 hours had passed since they began returning from their vacation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
In a video posted to Facebook, Lemon said she had no water and her children needed to use the bathroom. They were able to get an hour’s sleep while stuck on the highway.
“Definitely next year when I go back, I’ll be prepared for an emergency in the vehicle,” she said.
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Mitch Carmichael, a former cabinet secretary of the Department of Economic Development, said on Facebook that he was on the turnpike “for hours with no relevant or timely info as to when issue will be cleared.”
He called it “incredibly unprofessional” for the public to be left in the dark and said it gives West Virginia “a terrible image.”
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement that the shutdown “was completely unacceptable. I have directed the Parkways Authority to immediately conduct an investigation and revise its procedures as necessary as a result of this incident.”
The turnpike shutdown came as much of the Eastern U.S. suffered through days of dangerous heat this week before the latest storms battered West Virginia. The state’s Emergency Management Division on Thursday posted a photo of a measuring tape in floodwaters with the caption, “From ‘dry as a bone to 5 inches’ in 45 minutes this evening in the Elm Grove area.”
On June 14, nine people, including a 3-year-old, died when as much as 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within 40 minutes.
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In February, West Virginia was hit with heavy rains and dangerous flooding that left at least three people dead and caused millions of dollars in damage.