This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/15/west-virginia-flash-flood

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Flash floods in West Virginia kill three people with others missing Flash floods in West Virginia kill six people with others missing
(about 20 hours later)
Officials ‘never seen anything like this’ after up to 4in of rain fell within half an hour in northern part of state Six-year-old among dead as officials say they have ‘never seen anything like this’ amid heavy rains in north of state
Flash flooding caused by torrential rains killed three people in northern West Virginia and rescue crews were searching for missing people on Sunday, while authorities were assessing damage to roads, bridges, natural gas lines and other infrastructure. Flash flooding caused by torrential rains killed at least six people – including a six-year-old child – in northern West Virginia, and rescue crews were searching for missing people on Sunday, while authorities were assessing damage to roads, bridges, natural gas lines and other infrastructure.
Officials said 2.5-4in (6-10cm) of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio county within about a half hour on Saturday night. Officials said 2.5-4in (6-10cm) of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio county within about a half-hour on Saturday night.
“We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped,” Lou Vargo, Ohio county’s emergency management director, said at a news conference on Sunday. “During this time we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges and highways where we couldn’t respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage.”“We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped,” Lou Vargo, Ohio county’s emergency management director, said at a news conference on Sunday. “During this time we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges and highways where we couldn’t respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage.”
Vargo added: “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 added: “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.”
Authorities said vehicles were swept into in swollen creeks, some people sought safety in trees and a mobile home caught fire. Authorities said vehicles were swept into swollen creeks, some people sought safety in trees and a mobile home caught fire.
Jim Blazier, the fire chief in Wheeling, in the state’s northern panhandle, said crews performed rescue operations into Sunday’s early morning hours. He said first responders regrouped on Sunday morning and were focused on an area from the Ohio state line across the Ohio River to Wheeling Creek.Jim Blazier, the fire chief in Wheeling, in the state’s northern panhandle, said crews performed rescue operations into Sunday’s early morning hours. He said first responders regrouped on Sunday morning and were focused on an area 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 and so forth,” Blazier said. “We’re using drones, search dogs and swift water personnel, and we have teams organized that are searching sectors that we’re trying to recover anybody that’s missing.”“We’re searching the banks, we’re searching submerged vehicles, any debris we find along the trail and so forth,” Blazier said. “We’re using drones, search dogs and swift water personnel, and we have teams organized that are searching sectors that we’re trying to recover anybody that’s missing.”
There were about 4,000 power outages in the county. Restoration efforts were hampered by natural gas leaks that have to be fixed first, officials said. There were about 4,000 power outages in the county. Restoration efforts were hampered by natural gas leaks that had to be fixed first, officials said.
Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Ohio county. He said state police and other state officials were responding, and he directed the national guard to provide any needed assistance.Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Ohio county. He said state police and other state officials were responding, and he directed the national guard to provide any needed assistance.
“Please keep this community in your prayers,” Morrisey said in a statement on Sunday. “More storms are expected in the region today. Please follow all directives from local and state emergency management officials and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.”“Please keep this community in your prayers,” Morrisey said in a statement on Sunday. “More storms are expected in the region today. Please follow all directives from local and state emergency management officials and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads.”
Morrisey also said: “This is a very difficult time … My number one priority and that of everyone on our team, and those in the local community, is to identify the missing individuals, anything we can do to save lives, but to identify those people.”
The West Virginia rains followed heavy downpours in San Antonio on Thursday that killed 13 people. More than 7in (18cm) of rain fell over a span of hours in the Texas city, causing fast-rising floodwaters to carry more than a dozen cars into a creek.The West Virginia rains followed heavy downpours in San Antonio on Thursday that killed 13 people. More than 7in (18cm) of rain fell over a span of hours in the Texas city, causing fast-rising floodwaters to carry more than a dozen cars into a creek.