My thoughts are with those impacted by the train derailment in Fayette County today. My office is in touch with emergency responders, and we are keeping a close eye on the situation. I urge all West Virginians near the site of the derailment to stay safe. My office is ready and willing to assist West Virginians in need during this difficult time.

To contact my office, please call:

• Charleston office: 304-347-5372
• Martinsburg office: 304-262-9285

CSX has opened a Community Outreach Center to address community needs as a result of the train derailment in Mount Carbon, West Virginia. More information here: http://bit.ly/1JmSE2S

• The center which will respond to affected residents and businesses is located in the Glass-in Riverside Room at the Glen Ferris Inn, US Route 60, Glen Ferris, WV 25090.

• CSX representatives will be on hand to handle all issues related to inconveniences caused by the evacuation.

• The center will be open starting Tuesday, February 17 from 8:00 am ET through 8:00 pm ET until further notice and hours will be extended as needed. CSX has secured a number of hotel rooms for displaced residents and those addresses are available by calling 1-877-TellCSX (835-5279).

• The immediate concern is to provide residents who have been evacuated from their homes with safe and warm housing for their families. Once the work week commences, any business loss matters will be addressed as quickly as possible when the breadth of the impact can be assessed. Those who have been asked to evacuate their homes can find a listing of nearby evacuation locations below and at the following link as of 10:00 p.m. ET Monday: http://bit.ly/1Afplrm

• Valley High School: The American Red Cross is attempting to set up an overnight shelter, but Kanawha and Fayette County Emergency Management have opened the location for residents. The shelter will open at 6:30 p.m.

• West Virginia University Tech Gymnasium: Shelter will open at 6:30 p.m.

• Holiday Lodge, Oak Hill: CSX has rented out all available rooms at the Oak Hill hotel for residents to stay overnight. The lodge is located at 340 Oyler Ave.

• A Red Cross representative said the Armstrong Creek and Falls View Community Centers are also open for evacuees, but are not Red Cross sponsored centers with overnight accommodations. A conserve water advisory has been issued for Montgomery and Cedar Grove Water Systems.

Updates from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources can be found here: http://bit.ly/1CBIPF4


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