Torrential rains caused flash flooding in northern West Virginia, resulting in four deaths and four missing individuals. Rescue teams are actively searching, and authorities are assessing extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and natural gas lines. The governor has declared a state of emergency in Ohio County.
Flash flooding kills 4 in West Virginia, rescue teams searching for missing people
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Torrential rains caused flash flooding in northern West Virginia, resulting in four deaths and four missing individuals. Rescue teams are actively searching, and authorities are assessing extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and natural gas lines. The governor has declared a state of emergency in Ohio County.
Trending- 1 Saturday night: 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within about a half hour, causing flash flooding.
- 2 Sunday early morning: Rescue operations began, with crews performing rescues.
- 3 Sunday: Lou Vargo, Ohio County's emergency management director, held a news conference.
- 4 Sunday: Jim Blazier, Wheeling fire chief, detailed search efforts focusing on the Ohio state line to Wheeling Creek.
- 5 Sunday: Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed four deaths and four missing people, declaring a state of emergency in Ohio County.
- 6 Thursday (prior to this event): Heavy downpours in San Antonio, Texas, killed 13 people.
- 4 fatalities
- 4 people missing
- Major infrastructure damage (roads, bridges, highways, natural gas lines)
- Approximately 4,000 power outages
- State of emergency declared in Ohio County
- Rescue operations hampered by damage and gas leaks
What: Flash flooding, 4 deaths, 4 missing people, major infrastructure damage, rescue operations, state of emergency declaration.
When: Saturday night (rain), Sunday (news conferences, rescue efforts, governor's declaration).
Where: Northern West Virginia, specifically Wheeling and Ohio County, along the Ohio state line and Ohio River.
Why: Torrential rains, with 2.5 to 4 inches (6 to 10 centimeters) falling in about half an hour, caused rapid and severe flooding.
How: Rapid accumulation of rainfall led to swollen creeks, sweeping away vehicles, trapping people, and causing widespread damage to roads, bridges, and utilities. Rescue efforts involve 911 calls, search dogs, drones, and swift water personnel.