At least five people died and three remain missing after a lightning flood in northern Virginia on Saturday evening in North Western Virginia, stunning emergency services, and causing extensive damage to infrastructure. Officials said that in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County in just 30 minutes, up to 4 inches (10 cm) of rain dropped.
“Almost immediately, we started receiving 911 calls to rescue people who were imprisoned,” said Lou Vargo, director of the Ohio County district. “During this time, we had great damage to the infrastructure on roads, bridges and highways where we could not respond to many incidents. So we were delayed when we got there because there was so much damage.”
Vargo, 35 -year -old veteran for reaction to emergency situations, added: “I saw the main flood here in the city and the region. I have never seen anything like that.”
Emergency statements and search efforts
Governor Patrick Morrisey declared emergency states in Ohio and Marion districts and mobilized the National Guard to help rescue and recover. About 2,500 current outages were reported on Sunday evening.
“In many ways, it is a type of event unicorn,” said Governor Morrisey. “There were about 3 to 4 inches of water that fell in the area in less than an hour. It is very, very difficult to deal with it.”
He continued: “Your friends, your neighbors, your first respondents – work very hard to find people. This is our task No. 1 right now.”
Vehicles swept, trees like shelter
As the flood waters rose sharply, the vehicles were swept into streams, ignited the mobile house, and some residents climbed the trees to escape the water. In Marion County, which experienced similar floods on Sunday, the local ministry announced the internal safety of extensive damage to bridges, roads and houses and at least 165 emergency calls from the beginning of the storms.
Search and save in full swing
Rescue crews worked overnight and continued on Sunday morning. Wheeling Fire, Jim Blazier, said the teams Czech areas from Ohio State to Wheeling Creek.
“We are looking for banks, submerged vehicles and any debris that we find along the trail,” Blazier said. “We use drones, search dogs and fast water staff to search for designated industries for missing.”
San Antonio also reins from heavy rain
The floods in West Virginia follow a similar weather tragedy in San Antonio, Texas, where the victim from heavy rains increased to 13, after more than 7 inches (18 cm) the rain flooded the area.
The fast -growing waters swept cars into the Beitel Creek, where most of the victims were found. Firefighters saved more than 70 people, with some climbing trees to escape the flood. Officials on Saturday confirmed that all who were announced were placed.
(Tagstotranslate) Western floods of West Virginia 2025
