Severe Flooding Hits West Virginia, Prompting Emergency Response

On July 22, 2026, heavy rains led to devastating flash floods in West Virginia, affecting homes and businesses and triggering numerous water rescues. Authorities reported extensive damage with inundated properties and washed-out bridges.

Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties and deployed 500 National Guard members to the most affected northern areas. More than 100 individuals required rescue from floodwaters, with concerns over potential fatalities due to people unaccounted for. A fleet of nineteen helicopters, operated by the National Guard and state police, was engaged in rescue operations or on standby.

Three emergency shelters opened on Wednesday, accommodating over 100 evacuees. Meteorologists reported rainfall up to 7 inches in areas, with some spots receiving 4.5 inches in a mere 37 minutes. Governor Morrisey remarked on the lack of drainage options for such a deluge.

During a news conference, Governor Morrisey emphasized the need for statewide unity and preparation for recovery efforts in the coming weeks. Lars Dalseide, Morrisey’s communications director, highlighted the importance of verified, accurate information before public release.

Efforts to obtain further details from various officials, including the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and National Guard representatives, were yet to yield responses.

This is heartbreaking. This is not something you want to see in your hometown. But we will get past it. We will get through it.

A photograph showed a flooded Walmart parking lot in Weston. Videos on social media depicted submerged vehicles and buildings, including instances where residents evacuated just before structures, like sheds, floated away. Emergency services conducted rescues from submerged vehicles, although access issues hampered some efforts. Plans were underway for public drop-off locations for donated supplies, including at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

The intense rainfall formed part of broader storm systems that impacted areas from Cincinnati through to New Jersey, producing tornado reports and causing wind damage. In central Ohio, severe winds damaged a church roof, and there were reports of downed trees in New York. At least 14 tornadoes occurred across six states on the same day.

Flood warnings persisted in several counties, particularly those near rivers and creeks, while flood watches extended from eastern Tennessee into Virginia and North Carolina. Residents across Lewis and Upshur counties, collectively home to around 40,000, remained vigilant as local first responders conducted overnight rescues.

Infrastructure damage included closed portions of Interstate 79, U.S. Route 48, and numerous local roads, with a sinkhole incident reported in Fayetteville. This severe weather event coincided with the anniversary of a similar 2016 disaster that resulted in significant fatalities.

USGS data indicated that Sand Run Creek near Buckhannon reached unprecedented levels, surpassing records from a 1985 flood event that caused 47 deaths statewide.