Severe storms swept across West Virginia, unleashing torrential rain and triggering widespread flash flooding across the state. Rising waters have submerged roads, damaged buildings and left communities dealing with dangerous conditions.
WESTON, West Virginia — Dangerous flooding is ongoing 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.
The floods prompted Governor Patrick Morrisey to declare a State of Emergency across all 55 counties late Tuesday. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported.
Catastrophic flooding can be seen in Weston, West Virginia. 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. Gov. Morrisey said 100 National Guard members would arrive across those counties overnight Tuesday.
Interstate 79 remained closed due to flooding in the Weston area early Wednesday.
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.
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 6 hour span beginning Tuesday afternoon. Gov. Morrisey said the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources conducted at least 33 water rescues Tuesday.
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).
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.
Sen. Ben Queen, who represents the 12th District of West Virginia, said in a statement: 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.
In addition to the flooding, there were also multiple tornado warnings issued in the northwest corner of the state Tuesday night.
Officials urge residents to avoid flooded roadways and heed all evacuation orders and emergency instructions as the flood emergency remains ongoing.
Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick said in a statement: 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.
The Upshur County Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) has issued an immediate evacuation order for residents located on 1st Street through 5th Street and Cleveland Avenue due to rapidly escalating hazardous conditions. A temporary emergency shelter has been established at Church of the Nazarene in Buckhannon.
