A flood recovery list compiled by Agnes Quinn Queen says 135 Lewis County businesses were affected by the July 21 flood. The list, marked 8:50 p.m. Sept. 1, reports that 72 had fully reopened and 63 remained closed or had altered operations. Those figures describe the list at that time, not a current count.
Four businesses reported permanent closures: First Settlement Physical Therapy, Performance Chevrolet, Sesame Inn and Smoker Friendly.
Some places listed as reopened were still operating with limits. Blues Bar and Grill’s main bar area was closed, with service on the second floor only. Brokenwheel Campground was offering limited sewage tank service. The Walmart Supercenter remained under rebuilding; its open areas included canned and dry foods, soft lines, paper products, baby supplies and pet supplies. The list said hot, cold and frozen food was unavailable there.
The list also gave projected reopening windows for several businesses. It put downtown Dollar General and Regional Eye Associates at one to two months, Domino’s Pizza at two to three months, and Family Dollar at Dec. 31. Those were projections recorded in the Sept. 1 list, not announced reopening dates. Regional Eye Associates was working from its Bridgeport office at the time.
Several services had changed how they worked. The Lewis County Department of Health and Human Services was working remotely and had a satellite office at the Disaster Recovery Center, 37 Elizabeth Drive. The Lewis County Senior Center was working remotely and offering meal delivery. The Lewis County Board of Education building was taking calls and email. The list said Robert L. Bland Middle School students would attend school at WVU Jackson’s Mill for the school year.
Queen asked businesses and readers to send corrections and reopening updates so she could revise the list.