CHARLESTON – Attorneys across the state are assisting victims of flooding that affected 44 of West Virginia’s 55 counties.
Rob Frank of the Law Office of Robert J. Frank & Associates in Lewisburg, is a member of the CERT team at Rhema Christian Center and aided in relief efforts at the center, helping victims mostly from White Sulphur Springs, Rainelle and Rupert.
“We immediately started putting out cots and started cooking for the people who arrived at the center,” Frank said. “We had 46 the first night and 78 the second.”
Frank said they set up a separate room for families with young children and one for those with special medical needs.
The center also set up a clinic to help clean wounds and help with other medical issues with the help of Frank’s wife, Dr. Abby Frank.
The clinic provided first aid and coordinated with Greenbrier Valley Medical Center’s emergency department.
Frank said they sheltered dogs and cats, not wanting to split families up from their beloved animals.
“We set up a drive-thru at the front of the center for people who needed water, clothing, diapers, or food,” he said. “They could drive up, request what they needed and we would get it for them.”
Frank said they started working Thursday and worked throughout the weekend at the center.
“The response from the community has been phenomenal,” Frank said. “No one has been turned away, no one was hungry. Everyone has worked very hard to help out.”
Frank said those staying in the center were also pitching in to help others.
“West Virginia is different from anywhere in the world,” he said. “We live in an amazing place.”
Charleston attorney Rusty Webb of the Webb Law Centre transformed his mobile law office into a disaster relief unit to help flood victims.
The mobile office is a 24-foot Mercedes Sprinter diesel RV that displays the Webb Law Centre logo and was purchased by Webb to travel to the state of West Virginia to meet with clients.
Webb deployed the mobile law office to transport clothing in White Sulphur Springs, Ronceverte, Rupert, Charmco, Rainelle, Richwood and the Elk River to flood victims.
“The devastation is unreal,” Webb said. “The resilience of West Virginians is unprecedented.”
Webb said he wanted to thank Mayor Danny Jones, T-Graphics, and Charleston Department Store for their generous donation of new clothes.
The staff at Warner Law Offices will be at Clay County High School on June 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to feed flood victim and volunteers helping in relief efforts.
The staff will also be distributing water, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and booster seats.
