West Virginia has recorded its first confirmed deaths tied to the devastating flash floods that swept through the north-central part of the state this week, according to Governor Patrick Morrisey’s office.
In a statement issued Thursday, Lars Dalseide, communications director for the governor, confirmed that two individuals lost their lives in the flooding but did not disclose where the bodies were recovered or the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The identities of the victims have not been released as authorities continue working through the aftermath.
The confirmed fatalities come days after Tuesday’s storm dumped an extraordinary amount of rainfall on the region in a short window. Forecasters estimated that up to 7 inches of rain fell across parts of the state, with the governor noting that some areas were hit with as much as 4.5 inches in just 37 minutes — a rate officials say overwhelmed drainage systems almost instantly.
Local officials have since described the scale of destruction as extensive, with entire neighborhoods and business districts caught off guard by how quickly water levels rose.
Disturbing visuals circulating on social media captured the intensity of the flooding, including footage of a Walmart store in Weston where muddy floodwater poured directly into the building, submerging shelves and aisles. Nearby, a hotel situated across the highway also saw its ground floor completely inundated.
Emergency crews were forced to carry out numerous rescues as dozens of residents became trapped inside vehicles that were swallowed by rising water. In several locations, the flooding was so severe that it temporarily cut off all access routes, delaying rescue efforts and leaving people stranded until crews could reach them.
As cleanup continues, officials say more updates are expected as recovery operations move forward across the affected communities.
