West Virginia flooding leaves at least 6 dead, as rescue efforts persist for the 2 still unaccounted for
Flooding Disaster Claims Lives in Northern West Virginia
In a devastating turn of events, flash flooding in West Virginia's northern regions has tragically taken the lives of at least seven individuals and left four more missing, as per latest updates. The affected areas primarily include Wheeling, Ohio County, Triadelphia, Valley Grove, and Fairmont.
The mournful death toll includes Mike Veronis (74), Mike Bokanovich (73), Lisa McMasters (59), Kylie Minch Shutton (26) and her daughter Parker (3), and Travis Creighton (19).
Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected counties, with floodwaters submerging at least 60 buildings, including homes and businesses. The tragedy unfolded over the weekend, with severe flooding looming particularly in Ohio County, where all the reported deaths occurred.
Approximately 2.5 to 4 inches of rain poured down in less than an hour on Saturday night in Ohio County, prompting a flash flood emergency—the most severe flood warning—due to the area's torrential rain. Another flash flood emergency ensued in part of Marion County on Sunday afternoon.
In response, a state of emergency was declared in both Ohio and Marion Counties, allowing for additional state resources, such as the National Guard, to assist in rescue efforts. Emergency response teams carried out evacuations and water rescues, including at an apartment building in Marion County that partially collapsed following a torrent of floodwater. Thankfully, all residents of the building have been accounted for.
Areas in and around Wheeling, Ohio County, were hit hardest by the flooding rain on Saturday, with ongoing search and rescue operations underway. Roads, bridges, natural gas lines, and overall infrastructure have suffered significant damage, slowing down emergency response efforts.
Displaced residents are encouraged to seek shelter at Elm Grove Elementary School in Wheeling, with at least 12 individuals seeking refuge over the weekend. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to search for missing persons, navigating flooded banks, submerged vehicles, and debris.
Despite the ongoing efforts, the danger isn't over yet. The region is forecasted to remain wet for the upcoming week, with daily chances of rain and storms, potentially worsening the existing flooding issues or triggering new ones[1][2][4].
[1] West Virginia Public Broadcasting[2] Charleston Gazette-Mail[3] The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register[4] The Weather Channel
- The tragedy in West Virginia's northern regions, involving July flooding, has expanded beyond general news to include topics of crime and justice, as search and rescue efforts continue to recover seven lives lost and four individuals still missing.
- As the region remains wet for the upcoming week with potential daily rain and storms, the vigilant inclusion of weather updates becomes crucial in predicting the worsening of current flooding issues or the possibility of new ones, particularly in afflicted areas like Wheeling, Ohio County, and Triadelphia.
