Stuck in the Mud: A Long Night on West Virginia's Highway

Heavy rain caused a mudslide that blocked a storm drain, flooding the northbound lanes of a rural interstate in southern West Virginia. This left thousands of drivers stuck on the highway for over eight hours. The traffic jam stretched for 12 miles near Charleston, the state capital, with no detours in place. Many drivers had to spend the night in their cars.

Early Morning Relief, Ongoing Frustration

Early Friday morning, one lane finally opened, but traffic remained at a standstill for hours. The Parkways Authority took responsibility for not rerouting traffic and promised to improve their policies. No injuries were reported, but drivers expressed frustration and desperation. Many had no water, food, or information about the situation.

Personal Accounts of Stranded Drivers

Nicky Walters, a driver stranded on the highway, shared her experience. She felt lucky to be healthy and self-sufficient but worried about others who needed help. Brittany Lemon and her family spent 24 hours trying to get home from their vacation, with no water and children needing to use the bathroom. They managed to get an hour of sleep while stuck on the highway.

Criticism and Calls for Improvement

Mitch Carmichael, a former cabinet secretary, criticized the lack of information and timely updates. He called the situation "incredibly unprofessional" and said it gave West Virginia a bad image. Governor Patrick Morrisey also condemned the shutdown, directing the Parkways Authority to investigate and revise their procedures.

A Week of Extreme Weather

This incident happened during a week of extreme weather in the Eastern U.S. West Virginia's Emergency Management Division reported that 5 inches of rain fell in just 45 minutes in the Elm Grove area. In June, nine people died in Wheeling and Ohio County due to heavy rainfall. In February, heavy rains and flooding caused millions of dollars in damage and left at least three people dead.

Lessons Learned

Drivers learned a hard lesson about being prepared for emergencies. Brittany Lemon said she would be better prepared next time. The incident highlighted the need for better communication and emergency planning.