At Least 3 Dead in West Virginia Floods: What to Know
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
At least three people were killed and several others remain missing after flash floods swept through parts of West Virginia on Saturday night.
"I have declared a state of emergency for Ohio County," Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a Sunday morning Facebook post that announced "multiple fatalities."
Newsweek has reached out to the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service (NWS) for comment via email on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Flash flooding poses serious dangers, with the NWS urging people to get to higher ground. Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roadways and watch for erosion or obstructions that can make roads unstable or impassable.
People are urged to avoid entering flooded indoor spaces because of the risk of electrocution.
Flooding is the second deadliest weather hazard in the United States after extreme heat, with most fatalities occurring when vehicles are swept away by rising waters.
What To Know
An area of West Virginia near Ohio and Pennsylvania experienced dangerous flash flooding Saturday night, with Lou Vargo, director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, telling Fox Weather, "We received about 2.5-4 inches of rain through the city and the towns of Valley Grove and Triadelphia."
The Weather Channel noted the incredible speed at which the water fell, reporting that, "Wheeling Creek rose from 3 feet at 8:45 pm to roughly 10 feet at 10:15, a 7-foot jump in an hour and a half."
Vargo confirmed three deaths, addingthat "we still have reports of missing persons." He said that drones and dogs are helping emergency crews in the search for missing people.
The NWS had issued several flash flood warnings, including a Flash Flood Emergency warning.
"We have had major infrastructure damage to roads and bridges," Vargo said, noting that this complicated rescue efforts.
The governor noted in his Facebook post that state police and members of West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources are supporting rescue efforts, and the Division of Highways is working to clear roads and debris.
A state of emergency declaration gives the governor expanded authority to respond to the crisis, including the ability to deploy the National Guard.
A sign warning of high water and road closure as a result of flash flooding in Kansas on June 4.
A sign warning of high water and road closure as a result of flash flooding in Kansas on June 4.
Mark Reinstein/MediaPunch/IPx/AP Images
The NWS has issued a flood watch for parts of southeast Ohio and western West Virginia until 8 p.m. Sunday evening, warning that "excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks."
A Flood Watch has been issued for portions of West Virginia and southeast Ohio from noon today through this evening. If you encounter flooding... turn around, don't drown. pic.twitter.com/3sJajnyy73 — NWS Charleston, WV (@NWSCharlestonWV) June 15, 2025
What People Are Saying
The Weather Channel meteorologist Sara Tonks said on Sunday: "The storm was part of a stalled frontal system that has been bringing heavy rain to the region for several days."
Lou Vargo, director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, told local WTRF: "We've never seen anything like this in Ohio County. Bridges are out, roads are gone, homes destroyed—and our first responders are still actively searching."
What Happens Next?
Local officials have requested that residents stay home and off the roads as emergency vehicles continued to respond to the situation.
Thousands of residents remain without power, which may be delayed due to gas leaks that make it unsafe to do so, Vargo told local WTRF.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
Millions in Major City Warned of Floods as 'Torrential' Storms Hit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of residents in a major Midwest city are under a flood watch on Tuesday afternoon as National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warn of torrential rains that could overwhelm creeks and streams. Why It Matters The Flood Watch covered highly developed portions of the Chicago metropolitan area where impermeable surfaces and local drainage patterns can accelerate runoff and concentrate water in streets, underpasses and low-lying neighborhoods. It comes just a few days after heavy rainfall pummeled other parts of the Midwest over the weekend, prompting Wisconsin to cancel its state fair after parts of Milwaukee saw more than a foot of rain. What to Know The NWS office in Chicago issued a Flood Watch at 11:33 AM CDT on Tuesday, placing portions of northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana under a watch through the evening for possible flash flooding as showers and thunderstorms moved through the region. Newsweek reached out to NWS Chicago by phone and by email for comment. A motorist drives through standing water in a flooded underpass on April 18, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. A motorist drives through standing water in a flooded underpass on April 18, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. Scott Olson/Getty The watch covered central, northern and southern Cook County, DuPage County, northern and southern Will County and parts of northwest Indiana, including Lake County. The NWS warned that "flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible" with atmospheric conditions favoring "rainfall rates up to 1-2 inches per hour." The agency said urban runoff and elevated near-surface soil moisture could increase flood risk in areas with poor drainage. Creeks and streams could rise out of their banks, the watch noted, and underpasses, roads and streets could flood, risks that can strand vehicles and hamper emergency access. The watch listed affected jurisdictions and named communities across northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana, including Chicago, Joliet, Naperville, Oak Lawn, Evanston and Gary, among others. In addition to the heavy rainfall, the area is also expecting isolated strong winds as the storms move through. What People Are Saying NWS Chicago in a flood watch: "A Flood Watch for flash flooding means rapid-onset flooding is possible, but not yet certain, based upon the latest forecasts. Flash flooding is a dangerous situation. Persons with interests along area rivers, creeks, and other waterways should monitor the latest forecasts and be prepared to take action should flooding develop." NWS Chicago in a hazardous weather outlook: "Scattered to numerous showers and storms are expected this afternoon and evening. Torrential rainfall and isolated instances of flooding are the main threats, but localized strong downburst winds will be possible." What Happens Next The flood watch is scheduled to remain in effect through this evening. Residents in the impacted areas should monitor local weather forecasts and be prepared should flooding develop.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
People Told to Leave as New Flood Record Predicted in Alaska
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. People in and near Juneau, Alaska, were warned on Tuesday of potential record-breaking flooding amid releases from a nearby basin. Newsweek reached out to the City and Borough of Juneau via online form for comment. Why It Matters Recent flooding events around the country this summer have sparked concerns for communities in and near flood zones. Regional emergency declarations are part of a broader trend across the United States, as extreme weather triggered catastrophic and deadly flooding in states including Texas and New Mexico this year. What To Know The releases are coming from Suicide Basin, which filled this spring and summer with rain and snowmelt behind Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier. According to the Associated Press, citing the National Weather Service, the peak for flood risk is at 4 p.m. Wednesday local time. Flooding in recent years has damaged hundreds of homes and prompted mass evacuations in and around the Mendenhall River. The Skyline of Juneau, Alaska, as seen in September 2009. The Skyline of Juneau, Alaska, as seen in September 2009. Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images What People Are Saying Nicole Ferrin, a weather service meteorologist, during a news conference on Tuesday, according to the AP: "This will be a new record, based on all of the information that we have." The City and Borough of Juneau's website: "FLOOD Warning – Active Response Underway Suicide Basin is now releasing. Flooding is expected late Tuesday thru Wednesday. If you are in the 17ft flood inundation area (see evacuation is advised. Follow emergency alerts and use the resources on this page to stay safe. Be prepared — finalize evacuations plans, complete preparations, and evacuate when ready. Please do not go near the Mendenhall River." What Happens Next City, state and federal agencies plan for continued monitoring and response operations as the water moves downstream. Officials have advised residents in the flood inundation zone to evacuate, but said there was no need to rush, emphasizing an orderly departure. This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Erin Spaghetti Models as Storm Path Shifts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tropical Storm Erin's path has changed slightly, prompting concern that the storm is heading toward the United States even as National Hurricane Center (NHC) experts said it's still too soon to tell what impacts, if any, Erin will cause. Why It Matters Meteorologists have been tracking Tropical Storm Erin, which originated as a tropical wave off the western coast of Africa, for days. The tropical storm formed late Monday morning. Originally, forecast models showed the storm making a northward turn away from the U.S. Now, models have shifted south, increasing the chances that Erin, which is expected to become a major hurricane this weekend, will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast. What To Know Most spaghetti models, or computer models that illustrate potential storm paths, still show the storm taking a northward turn. However, the storm's path has shifted south, meaning some of its impacts could reach land, including the U.S. "I still think the most likely scenario is a track somewhere between the Outer Banks [of North Carolina] and Bermuda," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek. "However, due to the fact that this storm has been moving a little further south and west, that can certainly increase the chance it can come closer to the United States." Erin could become a major hurricane, a designation that occurs when a storm's wind speeds reach 111 mph or higher, classified as Category 3. Should it strengthen as meteorologists expect, Erin could become not only the first hurricane but also the first major hurricane of the season. An updated forecast map for Tropical Storm Erin. An updated forecast map for Tropical Storm Erin. National Hurricane Center The timeline for Erin's strengthening also has changed. Current forecasts anticipate Erin becoming a hurricane by Thursday evening and a major hurricane by Sunday morning. Previously, experts believed it would become a hurricane on Wednesday and a major hurricane on Saturday. On Tuesday, meteorologist Matt Velocity warned that the longer it takes the storm to intensify, the further west it will travel. "TROPICAL STORM ERIN is continuing to trend west, increasing chances of some sort of US impact," Velocity posted on X. "The longer Erin struggles to intensify, the further west it will travel." The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Tropical Storm Erin is the fifth named storm of the season and the second to form this month, following Tropical Storm Dexter, which fizzled out over the ocean in the first week of August. Meteorologists have issued repeated warnings this summer that the Atlantic hurricane season has not yet reached its peak, which typically happens around mid-September. "As we approach the climatological peak of the hurricane season, this is an opportune time to ensure your preparedness plans are in place," the NHC said in a key message about Erin. What People Are Saying The National Hurricane Center, in a key message about Tropical Storm Erin: "Although it is still too early to know exactly what impacts Erin might bring to the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the risk has increased for Erin to move closer to these islands over the weekends. Interests there should monitor the progress of this storm." The message added: "There is even greater uncertainty in what impacts, if any, might occur in portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda next week." What Happens Next Meteorologists will continue tracking the storm as it develops. No coastal hazards have been issued, but people in the affected areas should follow local weather guidance.
