Kanawha County hit hard by severe weather, recovery efforts continue

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Severe weather roared into the Kanawha Valley Tuesday, causing extensive property damage and prompting county officials to declare a state of emergency.

Tornado sirens were activated as high winds knocked out power for more than 50,000 customers countywide.

Trees ripped down power lines and traffic lights apart along Kanawha Boulevard. In downtown Charleston, bricks fell to the street below. Luckily, no one was hurt.

As the first round of storms made its way through the capital city, Eyewitness News staff took shelter live on air.

Every school in Kanawha County, including Piedmont Elementary, took shelter. Teachers used the time to demonstrate the importance planning for severe weather.

"I think it lets the kids know these situations are real and they can happen," teacher Samatha Elswick said. "This is why we have the drills and the practices that we do have."

Area resident Jordan Stone said her house is was spared and she's never seen a storm cause so much damage.

"It's hard to walk up there to see it destroyed and my home's just sitting there," Stone said.