West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Tuesday directed the state National Guard and other state emergency officials to help a small town that has been without running water for several days.
The Republican governor said the National Guard and additional emergency officials will provide Gary, West Virginia with resources after a pump in the town’s 563-customer water system broke last week.
Gary Treasurer Tracy Allison has described the situation as a health crisis where residents are having to scramble to get water to wash their hands. The governor said state officials have delivered thousands of gallons of drinking water to the town. City officials have also donated water.
Among the businesses without water service are the McDowell County Health Department, a nursing home and other health clinics.
Local officials have approved the purchase of a new pump but it's not clear when the equipment will be available.
