For the third week in a row, severe storms passing through the area have resulted in damage in Lewis County.

The most recent storm system dumped an estimated five inches of rain in less than two hours on northwestern Lewis County.

Overflowing streams and runoff damaged roadways, gardens and maturing tobacco fields. High water also resulted in damage to Trinity Methodist Church and Wesley Chapel Church.

A propane tank adjacent to Trinity Methodist Church was floated off its foundation and was overturned.

Robert Nash compared the Crooked Creek flooding Saturday night to a similar flash flood in 1960. Nash said the water level in 1960b was slightly higher, but damage from Saturday's rain was significant. More than half of Nash's tobacco crop was destroyed by the rushing flood waters.

A second storm system dumped an additional inch of rain on the area Sunday morning and prompted a flash flood warning from the National Weather Service.

High water deposited debris and stalks of tobacco at a depth of about four feet in one of Nash's barns. Family members spent Sunday morning uncovering a mowing machine in the barn, which had been covered by the debris left by the receding flood waters.

Cooked Creek Road remained impassible Sunday. Large sections of the roadway were eroded away by the water. County road crews were busy making the roadway passable and opening up ditches in the area.

Lewis County Emergency Services Director Carl Chaney said the damage was significant and that the cost of repairs to the roads, bridges, drainage pipes and ditches would fall entirely on the county.

Since the damage was so localized, the extent of the damage, Chaney said, was not enough to qualify for assistance from state or federal agencies.

Smaller four wheelers were able to traverse the area by traveling fields adjacent to the roadway. Water continued to run down Crooked Creek Road at more than two feet deep in places.

A bridge approach at the mouth of Crooked Creek Road was completely washed away leaving an 18-inch drop between the bridge floor and remaining fill. County road crews placed gravel in the void to make the bridge passable and were grading the roadway to make it passable for motorists.

In areas the force of the water raised up sections of asphalt and forced rock and debris underneath. Some sections of blacktop were completely washed away by the force of the ware.

State road crews also made temporary repairs to Ky. Rt. 3309 where water from streams caused damage.

Lewis County Sheriff Bill Lewis mobilized all deputies to survey the damage and ensure the safety of residents in the area.

On Thursday, a storm pelted the Ribolt-Happy Hollow area dumping three inches of rain in about 90 minutes.

Mr. William Earl Lewis, who recently celebrated his 90^th birthday at his home on Town Branch, is a retired C&O railroad worker of 39 years.

Mr. Lewis Enjoys his quiet, serene home, which now faces the busy Grayson spur of the AA Highway.

For much of his life, Mr. Lewis did not have a chance to enjoy his quiet country home because of his schedule of work days.

Since he was "on call" for track maintenance over the entire C&O system, he sometimes found himself assigned to work in Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Michigan, being able to come home only every other weekend. Until 1950, he worked in the capacity of system foreman, putting in four 10-hour days in each week.

We asked Mr. Lewis to describe for us the working and living conditions during the years of his work on the railroad. He explained that the men stayed in camp cars, eight men to a car stayed in them.

In the winter, the men took turns at fueling the little pot-bellied stove that heated the cat. He pointed out that the men usually got along with one another very well, even though the living conditions were less than perfect. As he described it: "I went through many hot days and cold nights."

One man, appointed as "caller", would walk along with the crew and sing out the words of a song and when he sane a certain word the entire crew would lift the rail simultaneously. This synchronized pattern of lifting was more effective than having men individually start to lift.

Governor Paul Patton made the presentation Friday in Danville as part of a presentation to 72 communities in the Commonwealth.

The presentation was made in Danville and was accepted by Vanceburg Renaissance Committee member Amy Kennedy.

Patton launched the Renaissance Kentucky program in 1997 to assist communities in revitalizing their downtown areas.

Communities are divided into designated tiers - bronze, silver or gold - according to the criteria met upon application. The program encourages communities to reach the highest level possible by awarding funds to those in the silver and gold levels.