National Guard deploys as flash floods in West Virginia inundate homes
and businesses
[July 23, 2026]
By JOHN RABY
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Torrential rains caused flash floods in West
Virginia that inundated homes and businesses, washed out bridges and led
to numerous water rescues. The state's governor said that some residents
were unaccounted for as search operations continued Wednesday.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey sent hundreds of National Guard members to the
hardest-hit areas in the northern part of the state and declared a state
of emergency for all 55 counties Tuesday night. The state Division of
Natural Resources has been involved in 85 rescues, he said, and 19
National Guard and state police helicopters were either out on rescue
missions or standing by if needed.
Three shelters were opened Wednesday that housed a total of more than
100 residents, the governor said at a news conference.
Governor says he is concerned about any fatalities
Asked if anyone was unaccounted for, Morrisey replied: “We don’t have an
exact number but we are concerned about fatalities,” adding that “as
soon as we have more information” officials will provide details.
“This is a time for West Virginians to come together to do everything
possible, not only to pray for all those who are affected, but we’re
going to need a lot of help in the days and weeks ahead,” he said.
“Let’s help these communities rebuild.”
Lars Dalseide, Morrisey’s communications director, said in an email
Wednesday night that “any specific information related to the flooding
will only be released after established procedures are followed and the
relevant facts are verified to ensure accuracy.”
Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake, the West Virginia National Guard’s
public affairs officer, referred questions on whether there were any
deaths to the governor's office.
Emails seeking similar information weren’t immediately returned by West
Virginia Department of Homeland Security spokesman Andy Malinoski and
the heads of the Lewis and Upshur county offices of emergency
management.
Forecasters said up to 7 inches (18 centimeters) of rain fell. Morrisey
said some places received 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) in 37 minutes.
“There’s no place for the water to go,” he said.
Dozens of people are rescued from vehicles stranded in floodwater
Video and photos on social media showed submerged vehicles in parking
lots, including at a Walmart in Weston where muddy water surged far into
the store. Across a nearby highway, a hotel’s main floor was inundated.
Emergency crews reported dozens of rescues of people stuck in submerged
vehicles. However, some rescuers were unable to get to locations where
floodwaters had cut off access.
[to top of second column]
|
An Aerial view shows extensive flooding in Buckhannon, W.Va.,
Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (Office of West Virginia Gov. Patrick
Morrisey via AP)
Officials in some communities were still waiting for floodwaters to
recede Wednesday before figuring out where the public can drop off
donated supplies. Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner said one such
place will be West Virginia Wesleyan College.
“This is heartbreaking,” Skinner said. “This is not something you
want to see in your hometown. But we will get past it. We will get
through it.”
Rains were part of series of storms stretching from Ohio to New
York City suburbs
The heavy rains were part of wide-ranging storms — which also
produced reports of tornadoes — stretching from the Cincinnati area
across New Jersey to the New York City suburbs. Damage from a
possible tornado was reported in the area of St. Marys and Belmont
in West Virginia.
The ground was already saturated after storms dumped more than 2
inches (5 centimeters) of rain throughout the state on Saturday.
Although the rain had cleared out Wednesday, flood warnings remained
in several counties for low-lying areas and areas near rivers and
creeks. Flood watches were posted for a large swath from eastern
Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.
Emergency service communication channels buzzed with activity late
Tuesday night in West Virginia’s Lewis and Upshur counties, which
have about 40,000 residents combined. First responders performed
water rescues Tuesday night into Wednesday, Lewis County
Commissioner Agnes Quinn Queen said.
“The devastation across our county is extensive,” she said in a
social media post.
Floodwaters forced the closure of portions of Interstate 79, U.S.
Route 48 and numerous secondary roads. A sinkhole caused by the
storm swallowed a vehicle at a bar in Fayetteville.
Tuesday’s storms occurred a decade after 23 people died when heavy
rains fell for hours over the same areas.
Data from a U.S. Geological Survey water gauge showed one creek
tributary, Sand Run, rose to a record level near Buckhannon, topping
the mark set during a November 1985 flood event that resulted in 47
deaths statewide.
___
Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut,
contributed to this report.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
