National Guard troops are on the ground rescuing West Virginia residents and helping with recovery efforts after record-breaking flash flooding on July 21 washed out roads and submerged homes and businesses in the state.
Powerful thunderstorms deluged north-central West Virginia, dumping 3 to 6 inches of rain in some areas and up to 7 inches in other communities over 12 hours on Tuesday, AccuWeather reported.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey surveyed the damage on Wednesday, stopping in Buckhannon, a hard-hit town along the Buckhannon River about 85 miles northeast of Charleston.
The storm dropped more than 7 inches of rain on the city of about 5,000 residents on Tuesday—with 4.5 inches of it falling within 37 minutes, according to officials.
“We know in very difficult times like this, recovery is not going to happen overnight,” Morrisey said during a press conference. “We’re going to get through this difficult time.”
National Guard rescue troops arrived on Tuesday night and started swift-water rescue operations, Gen. James Seward said during a press conference.
More than 100 people have been rescued, including several from a Walmart shopping center, officials reported.
One 77-year-old resident was found alive and taken to safety. Three shelters were opened and are helping about 100 residents.
The operation now includes about 500 National Guard personnel and 19 state police helicopters on the ground and continuing rescue missions on Wednesday, Seward said.
“Hopefully soon, we’ll move from search and rescue to recon and assessment, and community support,” Seward said. “We’re here for the long haul.”
At least 85 people were rescued in the flooding that also caused bridges to be washed out, Morrisey’s office reported.
No deaths had been reported as of Wednesday afternoon.
The governor declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties on Tuesday night.
Storms that moved through the region created flooding, landslides, road closures and other dangerous conditions.
The city of Buckhannon reported being “spliced up” by the flood waters, leaving residents cut off from each other.
The Army National Guard and state emergency officials were helping the city coordinate a response, according to its social media page.
Community members were already pitching in to help each other.
“My brother and I will be smoking meats all weekend to provide hot meals,” Jessica Krysiak said in a comment to the city. “Probably out at our neighbors in Weston at a church on Sunday. All are welcome!”
Others also offered to pitch in with deliveries, donations, and other supplies.
“And this is what we do! Take care of each other first,” Dorothy Dalton said in a comment.
In 1985, flooding in West Virginia killed 47 people and is considered one of the worst natural disasters in the state’s history.
Tuesday’s crest of Sand Run stream near Buckhannon reached 10.63 feet, shattering the record reached in the 1985 flood, according to AccuWeather.
The National Guard plans to stay until the debris is cleared from the storm, Seward said.
“As your National Guard, we’re not just here; we’re all over the globe right now,” Seward said. “But we still have a reserve to take care of the problems here at home.”
