Flooding Kills Over Dozens In West Virginia
MEP: At least 23 people have been killed after powerful storms swamped West Virginia on Thursday night, officials said.
Thousands of people are also left without power through Friday evening.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced 14 deaths at a news conference early in the afternoon. By Friday night, the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management had increased the death toll to 23.
Extensive damage was reported and Tomblin declared a state of emergency for 44 counties, including all but the northern and eastern panhandles. He also authorized the deployment of up to 150 members of the state’s National Guard.
The storm system dumped 9 inches of rain on parts of West Virginia and trapped 500 people in a shopping center for more than 24 hours after a bridge washed out. Crews completed a temporary roadway Friday night, NBC affiliated WSAZ reported. Dozens of other people had to be plucked off rooftops or rescued as waters quickly rose during the deluge.
“I had planned to fly around the affected areas myself today but wasn’t able to because all state aircrafts are currently being used for rescues,” Tomblin said.
Among the dead was a 9-year-old boy, whose body was found near the Ohio River on the Ohio border in Ravenswood, Jackson County.
