CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Governor jim Justice has issued a State of Emergency for all 55 counties due to moderate drought conditions. The Mountain State has received 2 to 5-inches less than normal toals in the last 90-days.
Numerous rivers, lakes, and streams are extremely low water levels that increases the risk of forest fires, among other potential dangers.
As part of today’s State of Emergency, the Governor has directed state officials to:
1. Implement the West Virginia Emergency Operations Plan as it relates to drought emergency response.
2. Place the state Emergency Operations Center in a stand-by status, unless activation is deemed necessary and appropriate.
3. Restrict the use of water for the purposes of dust control at construction and industrial sites, except as required under terms of permits issued for the same.
4. Monitor existing water sources for the presence of contaminants, including harmful algae blooms, which tend to propagate more readily in warmer and shallower waters.
Gov. Justice has also issued voluntary guidelines for the residents of West Virginia to:
1. Cease non-agricultural irrigation in the state, including those for strictly recreational purposes.
2. Limit washing or cleaning vehicles and/or structures where not otherwise required by law.
3. Limit use of public drinking water systems to minimal standards for good personal hygiene, food preparation, laundry, livestock, and pets, and other reasonable purposes.
4. Cease the filling of private swimming pools.