Community

‘They have nothing’: Flood donations accepted in Preston County

MASONTOWN - Mandi Hall and Jodi Gatlian are looking for donations to go to victims of the August flood in Lewis County.

"The flood is going to take years to recover from," Hall said. “There are still 48 people living in hotels that lost everything. One hundred six businesses were affected and 12 permanently closed. People lost their homes, their jobs, cars. They have nothing."

Gatlian, who owns Longneck Pub, along with Matt’s Pizza Shop in Newburg, the Tunnelton Quick Mart and Pockets of Time in Kingwood, have been collecting supplies to aid the victims.

Hall said she and Gatlian recently delivered box fans and more than 25 bags of other supplies, including DampRid, cleaning vinegar, mold and mildew cleaner and other cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items that were donated. She said they do not accept donated clothing.

Gatlian said her business supports a lot of different charities. She said on Sept. 12 they are going to be doing a fundraiser for the Preston County Animal Shelter.

"We are going to collect for the next couple of weeks so we can take another load of needed items to Lewis County," she said.

"Flood insurance doesn’t cover everything," Hall said. "I have a friend who lost $3.5 million in equipment and feed. He owned two feed stores. The flood insurance only covered the building, not the content inside or the equipment outside."

Donations can be dropped off at any of the stores listed. Needed items include detergent, DampRid, shampoo, conditioner, body washes, OdoBan deodorizer and disinfectant, cleaning vinegar, hand soap and Pine Sol.