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West Virginia Declares State of Emergency After Devastating Flash Floods
Confirmed
In Short: West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declares a state of emergency and deploys 100 National Guard troops as flash floods cause widespread damage and rescues, with some areas receiving up to 4.5 inches of rain in 37 minutes.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency and announced the deployment of 100 National Guard troops after flash floods caused significant damage, with some areas receiving up to 4.5 inches of rain in just 37 minutes.
Search operations continued Wednesday, with the governor stating that some residents were unaccounted for. The state Division of Natural Resources had conducted 85 rescues, and 19 National Guard and state police helicopters were either on rescue missions or on standby.
Three shelters were opened, housing over 100 residents, and emergency crews reported dozens of rescues of people trapped in submerged vehicles. The governor emphasized the need for help in the days and weeks ahead, urging West Virginians to come together in support of those affected.
In a news conference, Morrisey highlighted the severe impact of the storms, noting that places like a Walmart in Weston were submerged, with muddy water reaching far into the store. The State of Emergency will be extended in 12 counties following the severe storms and flooding that began on July 21.
Background
West Virginia is a mountainous, landlocked state in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania and Maryland to the northeast, Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, and Ohio to the northwest.
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. It borders Kentucky to the west, Tennessee to the south-west, North Carolina to the south, West Virginia to the north-west, and Maryland to the north.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The state’s governor said that some residents were unaccounted for as search operations continued Wednesday.
- The state Division of Natural Resources has been involved in 85 rescues, he said, and 19 National Guard and state police helicopters were either out on rescue missions or standing by if needed.
- Three shelters were opened Wednesday that housed a total of more than 100 residents, the governor said at a news conference.
- “This is a time for West Virginians to come together to do everything possible, not only to pray for all those who are affected, but we’re going to need a lot of help in the days and weeks ahead,” he said.
- Morrisey said some places received 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) in 37 minutes.
- Video and photos on social media showed submerged vehicles in parking lots, including at a Walmart in Weston where muddy water surged far into the store.
- Emergency crews reported dozens of rescues of people stuck in submerged vehicles.
- Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner said one such place will be West Virginia Wesleyan College.