Two people have died in flash floods triggered by torrential rains that swept through north-central West Virginia this week, the governor’s office confirmed Wednesday.
The deaths are the first confirmed fatalities from Tuesday’s flooding, when forecasters recorded up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain across the region. In some areas, the downpour was extraordinarily intense, with Governor Patrick Morrisey noting that certain locations received 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) in just 37 minutes.
Details on where the bodies were found and how the individuals died were not immediately available, and their identities have not been released. “An emailed statement did not provide details on where the bodies were found or how the people died,” said Lars Dalseide, communications director for the governor.
Officials have described the devastation across the affected counties as extensive. Video and images shared on social media showed submerged vehicles filling parking lots, including at a Walmart in Weston where muddy water surged into the store. Across a nearby highway, the main floor of a hotel was left inundated.
Emergency crews carried out numerous rescues as the waters rose. Dozens of people became trapped in submerged vehicles throughout the region, and floodwaters initially cut off access to some of them, complicating relief efforts.
The rapid accumulation of rainfall left little time for residents to react, contributing to the widespread damage. The mountainous terrain of north-central West Virginia is particularly vulnerable to flash flooding, as narrow valleys can channel large volumes of water within minutes.
Recovery and assessment operations are expected to continue in the coming days as authorities evaluate the full scope of the damage and confirm whether additional casualties have occurred. State officials have urged residents in affected areas to avoid flooded roadways and heed emergency guidance as cleanup begins.