2 dead in West Virginia after catastrophic flooding slammed the state, triggering state of emergency
Dangerous flooding is lingering across parts of West Virginia early Wednesday after powerful severe storms dumped more than 7 inches of rain in parts of north-central West Virginia, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Flash Flood Emergency for life-threatening floods amid hundreds of calls for assistance.
WESTON, West Virginia — Two people died after dangerous flooding slammed West Virginia earlier this week after catastrophic rain totals swamped parts of the north-central area of the state, triggering a Flash Flood Emergency for life-threatening floods.
The floods prompted Gov. Patrick Morrisey to declare a state of emergency across all 55 counties after the deadly flooding destroyed homes and business on July 21.
"Mother Nature did some real damage to our state," Gov. Morrisey said on FOX Weather, describing the torrential rainfall that inundated parts of Lewis and Upshur counties, among other areas.
Gov. Morrisey said Wednesday that 310 National Guard personnel have been deployed, including helicopter units.
First responders said they received hundreds of calls for assistance in the wake of a Flash Flood Emergency that impacted Lewis, Randolph and Upshur counties.
The National Weather Service designated the warning as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) — a rare designation reserved for the most extreme and life-threatening flash flood events. The Flash Flood Emergency was in effect until 10:30 p.m. ET.
Gov. Morrisey's Office issued a State of Preparedness earlier in the day, ahead of the severe weather.
More than 7 inches of rain fell in Upshur County in a roughly six-hour span beginning Tuesday afternoon.
Gov. Morrisey said the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources conducted at least 85 water rescues Tuesday.
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The City of Buckhannon issued an Immediate Evacuation Order early Wednesday for parts of the city due to "rapidly escalating hazardous conditions."
Officials in Lewis County declared a local state of emergency after widespread flooding damaged public infrastructure, private property, roads, bridges, culverts, utilities and other critical facilities, according to the Lewis County Commission.
The emergency declaration authorizes the Lewis County Office of Emergency Management to coordinate all available local resources and request additional assistance from the West Virginia Emergency Management Division and, if necessary, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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Authorities have conducted multiple water rescues, responded to dozens of flooded homes and impassable roads.
In addition to rescues, a creek near Buckhannon in north-central West Virginia, called Sand Run, surged to record levels.
According to preliminary river data, Sand Run rose more than 8 feet in less than five hours, cresting at over 10.63 feet, crushing the former record.
The rapid rise shattered the previous record of 8.34 feet, which was set in 1985 during one of the region's most significant flood events.
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"Please keep our first responders in your prayers tonight. Across central West Virginia, they are moving through complete darkness with only the lights from their trucks, boats and rescue equipment showing what is directly in front of them. They are driving into flooded areas where roads may be washed away and taking boats into fast-moving water filled with debris and hidden dangers," Sen. Ben Queen, who represents the 12th District of West Virginia, said in a statement.
In addition to the flooding, there were also multiple tornado warnings issued in the northwest corner of the state Tuesday night.
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Officials urge residents to avoid flooded roadways and heed all evacuation orders and emergency instructions as the flood emergency remains ongoing.
In a statement, Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick said, "As we reflect on today’s devastating storms, our hearts are with the many families across West Virginia who are facing unimaginable loss, damage, and uncertainty. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we stand with every community that has suffered loss."
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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