West Virginia

West Virginia farmers navigate severe drought

Published

6 months ago

July 27, 2024

West Virginia farmers navigate severe drought

According to the USDA drought monitor, nearly all West Virginians are living in drought conditions and the lack of water impacts more than just home gardens.

The latest map published Thursday showed more than half the state in severe drought conditions.

Leslie Burdette is the co-owner of Shady Oaks Farm in Putnam County and she said they had a record year of sales because of earlier harvests. She credits their irrigation system for keeping their crops alive but without additional rainfall, this year’s grapes and next year’s blueberry could be impacted.

Their rain gauge was complete empty during our visit. Several government organizations report this is West Virginia’s 12th driest year on record.

“It’s been pretty extreme plus the brutal heat, the temperature and the high humidity. So, it’s everything together, it’s like the perfect storm,” Burdette said.

Friday, Governor Jim Justice issued a state of emergency because of dry conditions. This will allow the state’s emergency management division to respond to drought-related issues.

The Burdette’s said regardless of the drought conditions, West Virginians are resilient.

“It’s passion. I mean, you’ll find with every farmer that that’s what it is. I mean there’s so many farmers and that’s the one thing we all have in common,” she said.

A couple Jackson County, W.Va. farmers told Eyewitness News over the phone, some of their corn crops are suffering and need moisture.

According to the state’s conservation agency, livestock producers having a difficult time getting water in moderate or higher droughts, are eligible to receive cost sharing programs for things like portable water tanks.

The governor’s disaster declaration will last for 30 days unless the governor issues another proclamation to make it expire.

Source link

Related Topics:conditions crops Drought emergency farmers Featured water west virginia

Click to comment

West Virginia

Obituary for Kenneth Howell at Morgan Funeral Home

Published

1 hour ago

January 27, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for Kenneth Howell at Morgan Funeral Home

RONCEVERTE, WV – Kenneth Howell, 88 of Ronceverte, WV, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, at the Lewisburg Healthcare Center, Ronceverte, WV. Born January 21, 1937, in Montgomery, AL, he was the son of the late Finis Boyd and Hattie Mary Pinkerton Howell. Kenny was a US Army Veteran.

Source link

West Virginia

Missing Pa. man found dead after vehicle discovered in W. Va. lake

Published

13 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Press Room

Missing Pa. man found dead after vehicle discovered in W. Va. lake

A Fayette County man who had been reported missing was found dead on Sunday after rescuers pulled his vehicle out of a West Virginia lake.

Kevin Lataille, 59, was pronounced dead after officials recovered a vehicle that was submerged in Cheat Lake, according to WTAE.

The Murrysville Medic One Dive Team said in a post on Facebook that they were called on Sunday to help locate a missing person and a car, adding that the vehicle might have gone over the side of the Interstate 68 bridge and into Cheat Lake.

“Ice rescue technicians walked along the interstate bridge locating car parts,” the post said. “Ice rescue personnel cut an access hole for divers which were deployed locating the vehicle in 12 feet of water under the ice. Divers were able to confirm the vehicle’s color, make and model, and also confirmed the vehicle was occupied.”

Lataille’s family also issued a statement, WTAE reported, saying that his vehicle had been recovered and his body found.

“We regret to inform you that Kevin has been found, but sadly, he has passed away,” the post said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the search efforts. The overwhelming support from friends, family, strangers, and those who distributed flyers, shared his missing person post, and prayed daily has been incredible. We are grateful to those who used drones, helped manage social media, and were there when we needed support the most.”

Source link

West Virginia

WV Department of Health and Department of Homeland Security step in to help Mingo County resolve water issues – WV MetroNews

Published

1 day ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

WV Department of Health and Department of Homeland Security step in to help Mingo County resolve water issues – WV MetroNews

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –The state’s Department of Health and Department of Homeland Security are stepping in to help Mingo County restore their water to customers after having issues since the beginning of this month.
As of Saturday, there were 2,100 customers across Mingo County without water because of significant operational issues that are affecting local water systems. The issues started following complications at the Mingo Public Service District’s sediment basin and got worse because of the recent low temperatures affecting both the Kermit Water Works and Mingo County PSD facilities. As a result of these issues, it has caused a reduction in the water supple available to Mingo County PSD, Crum and other select areas.

WV Department of Health and WV Department of Homeland Security will be providing assistance to local water officials in Mingo to help restore service. The WV Department of Health’s Bureau of Public Health is offering technical assistance to Mingo County PSD, to help address the service issues. The state’s department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Managment Division has delivered pallets of bottled water to the area.

Cabinet Secretary of Health Sherri Young expressed her support for these ongoing efforts to restore the water.

“The well-being of West Virginians is out top priority. We are mobilizing and coordinating support to help Mingo County,” Young said in a news release.

Robert Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Homeland Security echoed Young’s thoughts.

“West Virginia’s safety is our mandate and our focus. Homeland Security will do everything it can to assist out fellow West Virginians,” he said.

Both agencies are watching the situation and continue to coordinate resources to help Mingo PSD to restore reliable water services to customers as soon as possible.

Source link