Amherst Co. Picks Up Pieces Left by Storm - WSET.com - ABC13

Reporter: Melinda Zosh

Amherst Co., VA - Amherst County still has the highest number of outages on Sunday with more than 3,000 people without power. Crews have had to clear lines and trees off roads.

Some people are still staying at the Old Amherst County jail. It's been open as a shelter for more than a week now. And old jail cells have transformed into a home away from home for dozens of displaced people.

After the electricity died, the old Amherst County jail came back to life.

"I've had food to eat, showers every day, water to drink," said Skip Clingempeel.

Clingempeel has lived in his own cell since Thursday. And as many as 40 people have done the same.

"We have two families that have been here at least a week. Many have nowhere else to go," said Michelle Hudnall, Energy Assistant Worker with Amherst Co.

Many have nowhere else to go. After surviving two heart attacks, Clingempeel's doctor told him to avoid the heat. Public Safety Director Gary Roakes says he's not alone.

"We're probably running anywhere between two to three times the amount of call volume we'd normally run in a day's time," said Roakes.

County officials say that fallen trees have caused 1 to 2 million dollars worth of damage on private properties alone. One tree ruined a porch on Mountain View Dr. in Amherst. The house, located near the Amherst County Courthouse, is currently on the market.

"It's not a total loss but there's gotta be a lot of money put into it," said LeRoy Yancey.

It caught the eye of leaders at Amherst Presbyterian Church last month.

"We were ready to have our congregation meeting (to make a decision on the house) until Friday night when the tree fell through the house," said Yancey.

Friday night's storm changed everything.

"It all depends now on the insurance company and the dollars and cents," said Yancey.

Throughout the county, everyone's trying to pick up the pieces. There's still no power on Cedar Gate Rd. in Monroe. But homeowners say the crews give them hope.

"It's incredible that they're here, they're still smiling, they're doing their best," said Loretta Stallings, who lives on Cedar Gate Rd.

And as power returns, the old Amherst County jail will shut its doors once again. But visitors here say the volunteers won't soon be forgotten.

"Without them, I'm not sure what I would have done," said Clingempeel.

Amherst County officials say the jail will stay open until Tuesday. But that also depends on how quickly crews can restore power.