Flash floods triggered by sudden, heavy rainfall swept through northern West Virginia Saturday night, killing at least five people and leaving three others missing, according to state and local officials. Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Ohio and Marion Counties as rescue teams continued search efforts amid widespread infrastructure damage.
"All five deaths occurred in Ohio County," said Alex Lanfranconi, spokesperson for Gov. Morrisey. Authorities said the victims included a 3-year-old child. At least four inches of rain fell in just 30 minutes in parts of Wheeling and surrounding communities, submerging roads and sweeping vehicles into waterways.
"We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped," said Lou Vargo, Director of Wheeling-Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "It happened so quickly and so fast. I've been doing this for 35 years. I've never seen anything like this."
Gov. Morrisey confirmed 19 swift water rescues had been carried out as of Sunday evening. In Wheeling, Chief Jim Blazier of the city's fire department said teams were using drones, search dogs, and swift water personnel to scour debris and submerged vehicles. "We're searching the banks, we're searching submerged vehicles, any debris we find along the trail," Blazier said.
Parts of Ohio County suffered significant damage to roads, bridges, and gas lines, complicating response efforts. Approximately 2,500 power outages were reported as of Sunday afternoon. Officials said restoration work is being delayed by the need to secure natural gas leaks in the affected zones.
In Fairmont, located in Marion County roughly 100 miles south of Wheeling, emergency crews responded to multiple rescues. A partially collapsed apartment building forced evacuations, and residents were relocated to Fairmont State University, according to city officials.
"Please-stay off the roads," Gov. Morrisey warned. "Do not underestimate the strength and speed of these floods. Pray for our friends and neighbors during this challenging time for our state."
The National Guard has been mobilized to assist local authorities, and FEMA has been engaged for additional support. Forecasts indicated more storms were expected Sunday night, prompting heightened alerts across the state's northern panhandle.
