WHEELING, W.Va. — Severe storms and flash flooding have led to at least four fatalities, including a young child, and left several individuals unaccounted for in northern West Virginia. The torrential rains struck Ohio County on the evening of June 14, overwhelming rivers and municipal infrastructure, sparking emergency responses across the region.
At a press briefing held on June 15, Governor Patrick Morrisey reported the grim toll, confirming that not only were four lives lost, but authorities were also searching for at least four additional people. “This is a very difficult time for Ohio County and all of West Virginia,” he remarked during the livestreamed conference.
Recent reports indicated that Ohio County received between 2.5 to 4 inches of rain in a brief 30-minute period, triggering swift and dangerous flooding. Local emergency management officials noted the severity of this weather event, with Lou Vargo, the emergency management director, stating, “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.”
First responders, including teams from the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, Wheeling Police Department, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations. During his address, Vargo mentioned that two missing persons had been located, while 19 swift water rescues were executed during the flooding crisis.
In response to the disaster’s impact, Governor Morrisey declared a state of emergency in the affected county and indicated that the National Guard may be enlisted to assist in recovery operations. Eyewitness accounts described harrowing scenes, with vehicles swept into raging waters, residents taking refuge in trees, and reports of a residential fire igniting as the waters surged.
“The flooding happened so quickly,” Vargo explained. “We immediately started receiving 911 calls from individuals trapped by the rising waters.” The overwhelming force of nature caused significant damage to local roads and bridges, hampering timely emergency responses.
Authorities are assessing the extent of the devastation. By early afternoon on June 15, approximately 2,500 residents were left without electricity. Additionally, the town of Apple Grove faced water supply issues, and numerous roadways and bridges remained closed, further complicating rescue operations.
In light of the circumstances, the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency has shared crucial resources with the community, providing information on where to report missing persons and where to access emergency shelters and donation centers.
“My top priority,” Governor Morrisey emphasized, “and that of everyone involved, is to ensure we locate those who are still missing.” The community continues to rally in support while assessing the fallout from this unprecedented flooding event.