Northern West Virginia – Flash flooding caused by torrential rains on Saturday night has led to the deaths of five people, including a 3-year-old child, in northern West Virginia. Rescue crews are still searching for several missing individuals as authorities assess the widespread damage to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.
Heavy rains, totaling between 2.5 to 4 inches, fell within about half an hour in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County. The sudden deluge overwhelmed local waterways and infrastructure, causing significant flooding in small towns east of the Ohio River, including Triadelphia and Valley Grove, where vehicles were submerged. The damage was reported by CBS affiliate WTRF.
Rescue Operations and Ongoing Search Efforts
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed on Sunday night that three residents are still missing and that additional rain and flooding are expected in the coming days. Morrisey is working closely with FEMA to coordinate response efforts.
As the rain caused creeks to swell, vehicles were swept away, and some people sought shelter in trees. Authorities also reported a mobile home fire, though no fatalities were attributed to that incident. First responders have successfully carried out 19 swift water rescues so far.
Ohio County’s Emergency Management Director Lou Vargo described the rapid escalation of the flooding: “It happened so quickly and so fast. … I’ve been doing this for 35 years. I’ve seen major floods here in the city and the county.
I’ve never seen anything like this.” Vargo also explained that infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways delayed rescue efforts, making it harder for first responders to reach those in need.
Search and Rescue Operations Continue
Fire Chief Jim Blazier of Wheeling said rescue operations continued into the early morning hours of Sunday, and efforts to locate missing persons were ongoing. Crews are focused on areas from the Ohio state line across the Ohio River to Wheeling Creek.
“We’re searching the banks, we’re searching submerged vehicles, any debris we find along the trail,” Blazier said. “We’re using drones, search dogs, and swift water personnel.”
Power Outages and Other Damage
As of Sunday afternoon, about 2,500 power outages were reported in Ohio County. Restoration efforts have been delayed by natural gas leaks, which must be fixed before power can be restored.
Meanwhile, in Fairmont, nearly 100 miles away from Wheeling, severe flooding also prompted multiple water rescues.
CBS affiliate WDTV reported that an apartment building in Marion County partially collapsed, though the extent of the damage and the number of people affected is still unclear. Residents were evacuated to Fairmont State University’s campus for safety.
State of Emergency and Ongoing Danger
Gov. Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in both Ohio and Marion County, calling in state police and National Guard personnel to assist in the response.
In a statement, he urged residents to stay off the roads and take precautions: “Please – stay off the roads. Do not underestimate the strength and speed of these floods. Pray for our friends and neighbors during this challenging time for our state.”
The heavy rains in West Virginia followed devastating floods in San Antonio, Texas, where 13 people died after more than 7 inches of rain fell on Thursday, causing floodwaters to quickly sweep away over a dozen cars.
Morrisey added that more storms are expected in the region on Sunday, and he reminded residents to follow all safety directives from local and state officials, particularly in flood-prone areas.
The search for the missing and recovery efforts continue as authorities work to assess and address the damage caused by this sudden and deadly flooding.