Warren Scott CLEANUP CONTINUES — A large tree in front of a home on Eldersville Road in Follansbee was split open by Tuesday’s severe storm. Brooke County officials are asking everyone in the county to submit damages wrought by the storm so it may be considered for federal assistance through a disaster declaration by the governor’s office.

While crews continue to remove fallen trees and other debris from roads, utility lines and yards, the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency is seeking information that could help it to obtain financial aid for those affected by Tuesday’s severe storm.

Brooke County EMA Director Greg Moore said residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to submit details of storm-related damages to the West Virginia Division of Emergency Management as soon as possible.

Moore stressed doing so won’t guarantee property owners will receive funds for their damages but will help to show state officials sufficient damage has occurred to warrant a disaster declaration by the governor’s office.

With that declaration, Gov. Patrick Morrisey may seek a presidential disaster declaration and if that’s approved, individuals and organizations may apply for aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Moore explained the cost of damages must reach a certain level for the state declaration to occur.

“We have to reach a certain threshold for them to declare a disaster. We’re just seeing if we can reach that threshold,” he said.

Property owners may submit their damages through an online survey at emd.wv.gov/disastersurvey. It also can be accessed through a QR code posted on the Brooke County Emergency Management Agency’s Facebook page.

Those without Internet access may call 211 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. or (304) 737-5002 between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Jefferson County Auditor E.J. Conn has encouraged any property owner with severe structural damage to call his office at (740) 283-8518 so it can be reassessed.

Tuesday’s severe storm left all or parts of many area roads closed as crews worked to remove fallen trees while power lines fell in cities and rural areas.

That included a block of Main Street, where a large tree in front of Brooke County Schools’ Bruin Bridge Alternative Learning Center fell across utility lines and onto the fence on the west side of Brooke Primary South.

In response to widespread power outages, Brooke County school officials closed schools throughout the county on Wednesday and Thursday and ordered a two-hour delay for Friday.

The loss of power disrupted operations at some water treatment plants.

Beech Bottom water customers on Friday were instructed to boil their water while the village drew water from the Hammond Public Service District through a link established for such circumstances.

Dale Poling, water operator for the village, issued a statement through social media advising, “Due to the nature of the connection, we will need to issue a village-wide boil advisory until further notice. We apologize for the inconvenience, but I feel it is best for the health and safety of our residents.”

Beech Bottom officials planned to issue updates through the weekend.

On Wednesday, the Beech Bottom Volunteer Fire Department invited the many residents without power to its station so they could partake of grilled hot dogs and other food and charge their cell phones.

Jeremy Ober, Hancock County director of emergency management, said damages there didn’t rise to the same level but the storm did result in power outages for many, with about 64 residents at the north end of Weirton and in New Manchester still affected on Friday.

Ober said he saw crews in numerous power trucks working on poles and lines since Tuesday.

“Those crews show up in full force. These guys and gals are fast,” he said.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)