West Virginia Refrigeration Trailer Rentals

What drives cold-storage demand in West Virginia

Weather and hazards

• Flood (Year-round, most damaging in spring and summer storms): On June 23-24, 2016, 8 to 10 inches of rain fell in about 12 hours, killing at least 23 people (15 in Greenbrier County) and causing about $1.1 billion in damage; the NWS called parts of several counties a 1,000-year event. Flash flooding in narrow valleys can cut off roads and power for days, which can leave restaurants and grocers needing temporary cold storage and kitchens. Source
• Flood (Late winter to spring (Ohio River and Tug Fork)): The Great Flood of 1937 hit Huntington on the Ohio River and led to its flood walls; the Tug Fork floodwall at Williamson closed all of its gates in 2025 for the first time as the river reached levels not seen since 1984. River-town floods can close downtown food businesses and spoil stock. Source
• Other (Late spring and summer (derechos and severe storms)): The June 2012 derecho knocked out power to about 672,000 West Virginia customers, more than half of the state's customers at the peak, during extreme heat. Summer heat plus a long outage can quickly spoil refrigerated food. Source
• Winter storm (November to March): Elkins averages about 68.9 inches of snow a year with a record one-day fall of 19.9 inches on December 19, 2009; Bluefield averages about 34.6 inches and has recorded -25 F. Heavy mountain snow can isolate towns and interrupt power and deliveries. Source

Power outages

• After the June 2012 derecho, restoration in West Virginia was very slow because of sparse population, mountainous terrain and extreme heat, and many outages lasted more than two weeks. Multi-week outages in rural areas can far exceed food-safety time limits for refrigerated stock. Source
• The same storm downed about 70 high-voltage power lines, cost five counties their gas service, and left all but two of the state's 55 counties with damage or outages. Statewide storm damage can slow restoration and supply, which often creates urgent demand for temporary refrigeration. Source

Food and hospitality

• Cattle and chickens are the main animals raised, and animal income has been roughly seven times plant income; the typical farm is about 154 acres. Livestock and poultry products depend on continuous cold chain handling. Source
• Hardy County's farming includes corn, wheat, apples, peaches, melons and truck farming. Fruit and vegetable harvests need cooling and storage. Source
• New River Gorge National Park and Preserve recorded about 1.59 million visits in 2022, and commercial rafting trips run from April through October. Tourism around the gorge drives seasonal food service demand in nearby towns. Source
• The Port of Huntington Tri-State is the second-largest inland port in the U.S., covering about 100 miles of the Ohio River plus stretches of the Big Sandy and Kanawha rivers. River and rail logistics add to regional distribution and storage activity. Source
• Medical care is Huntington's largest source of local jobs, alongside Marshall University, and Heiner's Bakery employs nearly 500 people. Hospital, university and bakery operations depend on refrigeration and sanitation. Source