July’s major rain event caused extensive flooding and continued to erode the Horseshoe Run stream bank.
Residents of Leadmine are seeking help after recent flooding heightened their concerns and vulnerability. By the invitation of resident Stan Dragovich, Senators Sypolt and Smith, Commissioners Moore, Hinkle, and Darlington, and OEM Assistant Director Pat Gray toured the area recently with members of the community including Joe & Becky Haddix, John Hebb, Stan and Hazel Dragovich, Bobbie Hottle, Ted and Ella Gaither, Marina Wolford, Judy Hile, and Rick and Kathy Helmick.
The ongoing stream bank erosion coupled with the buildup of storm debris is changing the course of the stream and putting homeowners, campers, and visitors at increased risk. Many of the homes, built prior to 1996, were at one time not considered to be in a flood plain, but that status has changed and for most, flood insurance is cost prohibitive. To achieve peace of mind, protection of property, and public safety, the community is aggressively exploring all options to address the problem.
Horseshoe Run, the stream running in front and behind many homes and campers in the Leadmine area, flooded during the major rain event that occurred late July causing extensive damage to many homes. The Dragovich family reported five and a half feet of water in their basement; another neighbor had close to a foot of water in the first floor of their home and at least two homes had extensive damage forcing residents to find temporary housing.
Residents Rick and Kathy Helmick went camping at Horseshoe that night. Kathy said, “I was nervous about the amount of rainfall and spent the night checking water levels. At 4:30am I screamed to my husband and my daughter’s family next door to get up and get out!” Roads had become impassable and they were not able to get to their Leadmine home but they did make it safely to higher ground. The extensive water damage to their property has them worried about future rain events. A recent rain of 1.5” filled the stream banks and had everyone on high alert.
Horseshoe Run is fed by multiple tributaries including Leadmine Run, Wolf Run, Twelve Mile Run, Thunderstruck, and Lynn Run, plus other smaller ones. In ’98, the Dragovich and Haddix families worked to repair and shore up the streambanks of Horseshoe Run. Several years later, CVI cleaned debris and installed water vanes in the stream in front of the Hebb residence with help from Tygarts Valley Conservation District and NRCS. Rick Helmick’s understanding of the purpose of the vanes is to “make the water turn back on itself which makes it run faster and gets the water out of here so it does not come out of the banks.” Residents feel that cleaning out around the vanes would help address their immediate concerns but they need help finding the resources to make that happen.
Dragovich has made calls to the County Commission, OEM Director, 911 Director, Senators Sypolt and Smith, and US Senators Manchin and Capito. He plans to call the National Guard to see if they can offer any assistance. OEM Director Kevin White has contacted WV DOH, state representatives, the National Guard and Army Corp of Engineers asking for assistance.
Last week Commissioner Lowell Moore met with the WV DOH Bridge Engineer and the Environmental Agent. They have scheduled to work and clean the bridge at Hog Back once they have acquired the necessary permits. Work includes cleaning and installing a scour apron on the right side of the bridge where water is undercutting the foundation to change the water flow.
The consensus among residents who have watched the stream change over time is that two remedies would have an immediate positive impact on the stream: cleaning out around the vanes and removing much of the storm debris that is damming up and rerouting the flow of the water. Both remedies require permits, equipment and expertise beyond their immediate grasp.
Dragovich, and others, said the County Commission, OEM Director and Deputy Director, 911 Director, Senators Sypolt and Smith have been helpful with the site visit and attempts to find solutions.
