At least four people—including a 3-year-old child—have died, and several more remain missing after devastating flash floods swept through northern West Virginia over the weekend.
Torrential rain hit Ohio County Saturday night, with up to four inches falling in just 30 minutes. The downpour overwhelmed rivers, washed out roads, and pulled vehicles and debris into raging waters.
“It happened so quickly,” said Lou Vargo, the county’s emergency management director. “I’ve done this for 35 years. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Emergency crews responded to dozens of 911 calls and performed 19 water rescues. Some people climbed into trees to escape the flooding. Others remain unaccounted for.
Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency and said damage assessments will begin Monday. Around 2,500 residents were still without power, with towns like Apple Grove also facing water outages and closed bridges.
“Our top priority is finding the missing,” Morrisey said. Rescue teams from local agencies and FEMA remain on the ground. An emergency shelter has been opened, and support resources are being provided for affected families.