February 16, 2015

EMERGENCY INFORMATION CENTER

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Our office has been in close touch with federal, State and local officials, CSX representatives, residents and emergency responders in Fayette and Kanawha Counties, where today’s devastating train derailment has forced many local residents to evacuate the area. I know that there are many West Virginians in need, and we are doing everything we possibly can to help get the necessary resources and assistance as quickly as we can. Please remember to lend a helping hand to your neighbors at this time. As always, you can call any of my office numbers for assistance.

To contact our office, please call:
Charleston office: 304-342-5855 or 855-275-5737 (toll-free)
Morgantown office: 304-284-8663
Martinsburg office: 304-264-4626
Washington office: 202-224-3954

For immediate assistance, please contact your local emergency management office to determine where water distribution points are located in your county:

Fayette County: 304-574-1610

County Emergency Services:
http://www.dhsem.wv.gov/countycontacts/Pages/default.aspx

**Latest Updates**

From the U.S. Coast Guard Newsroom:

Effective Friday, February 20, CSX will temporarily relocate its Outreach Center to Valley High School in Smithers, W. Va., to accommodate increased volume as residents return to their homes. Valley High School is located on Greyhound Lane in Smithers, W.Va. The Outreach Center will be open 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday. The Outreach Center at the Glen Ferris Inn will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but will re-open on Monday to address any remaining unresolved issues.

Residents are asked to bring identification (driver’s license or government ID) and AEP power bill to the Outreach Center. Residents are encouraged to bring any receipts documenting evacuation-related expenses. Households that experienced extended power outage must have the person whose name is on the bill present in order to receive compensation. If possible, only one household representative should come to check in at the Outreach Center.

Residents with questions about returning to their homes who cannot reach the Outreach Center or have related concerns may contact 1-877-TellCSX (1-877-835-5379).

As of Wednesday morning, bottled water distribution sites are at still open at Montgomery Town Hall on Third Avenue in Montgomery and Valley High School in Smithers for customers who are awaiting restoration of their water service. They are also providing meals and comfort kits to evacuees.

• CSX is providing a community outreach center at the Glass-In Riverside Room at the Glenn Ferris Inn. That location can be found along U.S. 60, east of the derailment. The center will be open starting Tuesday, February 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm until further notice and hours will be extended as needed.  CSX has secured a number of hotel rooms for displaced residents and those addresses are available by calling 1-877-TellCSX (835-5279).

**For more information about shelters, contact the Montgomery Fire Department at 304-442-5139.