By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
With half of Tucker County in Extreme Drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor and Governor Jim Justice declaring a State of Emergency on July 26, the County has found itself severely impacted by the prolonged lack of rain.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the eastern half of the County is most severely impacted by the lack of rain with that half being designated as in Extreme Drought. The western half of the County is designated as in Severe Drought.
The City of Thomas have been dealing with water issues that have been exacerbated by the low water level of the Blackwater River. Reports from various news outlets have reported that residents have been unable to use the water from their taps and have relied on bottled water. The Parsons Advocate will be on hand at the next City Council meeting in Thomas to follow the story.
Other municipalities in the area has not had to greatly restrict water usage due to the drought yet. Town of Davis Water Clerk Tina Wood said that Davis had not had to restrict water usage due to the drought due to the Town’s two water sources. The town draws water from the primary source of the Wymer Spring and the Blackwater River. “We haven’t had to ask anyone to conserve water or anything yet,” Wood said.
Wood said the Town is doing well as far as water supply from both water sources and the Town continues to pull from both well. “So far we are doing well. We haven’t had any issues, so we’re pulling from both sources,” Wood said.
It has also been reported by the media that State officials have trucked 5,000 gallons of non potable water to Thomas from Huntington.
