Historic Flooding Devastates Southern West Virginia, State of Emergency Declared

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — At least one person has died and several others are missing following historic flooding across Southern West Virginia this weekend. The state’s Governor, Patrick Morrisey, declared a state of emergency in 13 counties as the Coal River and other waterways surpassed flood stage limits, inundating homes and infrastructure.

The catastrophic flooding occurred February 15-16, 2025, with the Coal River in Tornado cresting at 28.21 feet, a foot above the moderate flooding stage, on Sunday evening. Governor Morrisey confirmed that damage assessments were ongoing as local agencies reported more than 700 calls for service in McDowell County alone in the last 36 hours.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Charleston, the Tug Fork River peaked at 48.4 feet in Williamson, well above the flood stage of 27 feet. Flood walls, constructed in 1991, were tested for the first time, and officials began reopening them as the water receded.

“After traveling to Southern West Virginia to meet with local officials and assess the damage firsthand, I have asked President Donald Trump for a Major Disaster Declaration,” Morrisey stated. This request aims to unlock federal resources necessary to aid the affected communities.

Photos and reports on social media illustrate the severity of the natural disaster, with flooded streets and damaged homes. At least 38 swift-water rescues have been documented, while ongoing efforts by emergency services continue to reach stranded individuals.

James Trump, a resident of Tornado, used a tractor to clear mud from his driveway, sharing that this was only the second time in seven years of living there that the river has flooded so extensively. He recounted the moment, stating, “The Coal River took down my mailbox and street sign.”

In St. Albans, water continued to cover Strawberry Road as the Coal River began to recede on February 17. Residents witnessed the devastating impact of the flooding firsthand, living in areas like Kermit and Mingo County where water engulfed homes.

As of Monday, over 6,000 Appalachian Power customers experienced outages in Mingo County, impacting 58% of households by mid-afternoon. The Mingo County Board of Education announced that all county schools would remain closed until further notice due to safety concerns.

Mayor Scott James of St. Albans reported that local areas, including Riverlake, faced serious flooding issues. Meanwhile, efforts to provide support were underway, with West Logan Church offering hot meals for affected residents.

The National Guard deployed K9 Search & Rescue Services to assist in recovery efforts, particularly searching for those still unaccounted for in Welch. Handler Nathan Justice emphasized the dangers posed by the weather during operations, stating, “We’re battling not only the cold, but there’s a lot of high winds, too, and that affects how the dogs can perform.”

Residents are encouraged to report flooding damage to assist local and state entities in coordinating recovery efforts. As the situation develops, those impacted by the unprecedented flooding look to authorities for assistance and information regarding recovery.