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Flood carves a path of destruction at historic resort

Debris is stacked up along the back of the golf academy as workers begin the cleanup of the Old White Course on the property of the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., Tuesday, June 28, 2016. Flooding from heavy rains last week damaged the course canceling the PGA Tour event scheduled for next week and closing the Hotel. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Debris is stacked up along the back of the golf academy as workers begin the cleanup of the Old White Course on the property of the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., Tuesday, June 28, 2016. Flooding from heavy rains last week damaged the course canceling the PGA Tour event scheduled for next week and closing the Hotel. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
By Jonathan Mattise
July 1, 2016

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) — The devastating floods last week that killed 23 people in West Virginia carved a path of destruction at the historic Greenbrier resort, one of the jewels of the state’s tourism industry.

Two bodies were discovered on the resort grounds, and the golf course where a PGA tournament was supposed to start during the week of July Fourth is a muddy mess, strewn with trash, tires, refrigerators and severed trees.

The 700-room resort has hosted presidents and royalty and holds a once-secret underground bunker built for Congress in case of nuclear attack during the Cold War.

But it’s now serving as a shelter for 300 flood victims, welcomed by the Greenbrier’s owner, gubernatorial candidate Jim Justice.

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Jonathan Mattise
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