West Virginia Flooding - have killed at least 23 people
http://dervishcom.blogspot.com/2016/06/west-virginia-flooding-have-killed-at.html
West Virginia rescue crews worked steadily overnight and into the morning to answer emergency calls from residents stranded by fast-moving floodwaters that state officials say have killed at least 23 people.
Heavy rain battered much of the state earlier this week, and floodwaters pouring out of creeks and rivers prompted scores of rescue calls. Utilities were working to restore power for residents and businesses.
The high waters were receding Saturday, but officials, such as those in Kanawha County, are warning people to watch out for "flood debris, downed power lines and downed trees."
Along with responding to rescue emergencies, Kanawha County Sheriff's Office spokesman Brian Humphreys said deputies were going to pharmacies to get medications for people affected by the flooding.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin activated 200 National Guard members to assist in eight counties and has authorization to activate as many as 300 more, if needed.
Tomblin declared states of emergency in 44 counties Thursday night. Eleven remaining counties, located in the northern and eastern panhandles, were excluded from the emergency declaration. The communities of Elkview, Clendenin and Frame, located in Kanawha County, were particularly hard hit.
He said the flooding is the worst in a century for some parts of the state.
"Together with the National Guard, our first responders, local emergency management officials and firefighters from across the state have been working around the clock, and we are deeply appreciative of their efforts," Tomblin said in a statement.
The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported 23 deaths, including 15 in Greenbrier County, and six in Kanawha County, which includes the capital, Charleston.
At least two children were killed in the deluge, including a 4-year-old boy who was washed away by floodwaters in Jackson County, officials said.
Homes and infrastructure across the state have been severely damaged or washed away. High terrain along rivers speeded the rapid floodwaters. As of 6:30 a.m., there were 158 emergency rescue calls in Kanawha County, located in the southwestern part of the state, the sheriff's office said.
In that same county, nearly 500 people were stranded at the Elkview Crossings Mall in Elkview for more than 24 hours starting on Thursday, when rain washed out an access road, officials said.
Friday night, emergency workers finished building a temporary gravel road to allow all those stranded to exit, according to the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Chad Agner, 26, said he saw homes and cars swept away in White Sulphur Springs in the southeastern part of the state.
Others saw a home that burned as it floated down Howard's Creek, having been washed away by floodwaters in the same Greenbrier County town.
"The house in front of where my apartment used to be is turned over. Some houses are totally gone," Agner told CNN. "My apartment is gone."
A 1,000-year flood
Weather radar estimates show that more than 10 inches of rain have fallen in portions of Greenbrier County. There is a 1 in 1,000 chance of this type of rainfall happening in any given year, according to the National Weather Service.
In Kanawha County, the Elkview River crested at 33.37 feet Friday morning, meteorologists said. The river rose more than 27 feet from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, the highest crest since record-keeping began more than 125 years ago, according to the National Weather Service.
Resort under water
Also in White Sulphur Springs, the storms severely impacted The Greenbrier, a luxury resort that was scheduled to host the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic July 7-10.
The PGA announced Saturday that the tournament is canceled because the course was badly damaged.
"We are heartbroken by the devastation the residents of West Virginia are experiencing at this time and the reports of lives lost due to the terrible flooding," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.
Professional PGA golfer Bubba Watson, who was at the resort when the storms hit, shared a photo and video on his Twitter account showing the grounds covered in fast-moving brown water.
Heavy rain battered much of the state earlier this week, and floodwaters pouring out of creeks and rivers prompted scores of rescue calls. Utilities were working to restore power for residents and businesses.
The high waters were receding Saturday, but officials, such as those in Kanawha County, are warning people to watch out for "flood debris, downed power lines and downed trees."
Along with responding to rescue emergencies, Kanawha County Sheriff's Office spokesman Brian Humphreys said deputies were going to pharmacies to get medications for people affected by the flooding.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin activated 200 National Guard members to assist in eight counties and has authorization to activate as many as 300 more, if needed.
Tomblin declared states of emergency in 44 counties Thursday night. Eleven remaining counties, located in the northern and eastern panhandles, were excluded from the emergency declaration. The communities of Elkview, Clendenin and Frame, located in Kanawha County, were particularly hard hit.
He said the flooding is the worst in a century for some parts of the state.
"Together with the National Guard, our first responders, local emergency management officials and firefighters from across the state have been working around the clock, and we are deeply appreciative of their efforts," Tomblin said in a statement.
The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported 23 deaths, including 15 in Greenbrier County, and six in Kanawha County, which includes the capital, Charleston.
At least two children were killed in the deluge, including a 4-year-old boy who was washed away by floodwaters in Jackson County, officials said.
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| I'm in Elkview viewing the flood damage. If you are in need of assistance call 304-342-5855. |
Homes and infrastructure across the state have been severely damaged or washed away. High terrain along rivers speeded the rapid floodwaters. As of 6:30 a.m., there were 158 emergency rescue calls in Kanawha County, located in the southwestern part of the state, the sheriff's office said.
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| Historic #flooding in #WestVirginia: 2 confirmed dead, a toddler still missing. @TODAYshow |
In that same county, nearly 500 people were stranded at the Elkview Crossings Mall in Elkview for more than 24 hours starting on Thursday, when rain washed out an access road, officials said.
Friday night, emergency workers finished building a temporary gravel road to allow all those stranded to exit, according to the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Chad Agner, 26, said he saw homes and cars swept away in White Sulphur Springs in the southeastern part of the state.
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| Chad Agner captured photos of the devastating flooding in White Sulphur Springs on Friday |
Others saw a home that burned as it floated down Howard's Creek, having been washed away by floodwaters in the same Greenbrier County town.
"The house in front of where my apartment used to be is turned over. Some houses are totally gone," Agner told CNN. "My apartment is gone."
A 1,000-year flood
Weather radar estimates show that more than 10 inches of rain have fallen in portions of Greenbrier County. There is a 1 in 1,000 chance of this type of rainfall happening in any given year, according to the National Weather Service.
In Kanawha County, the Elkview River crested at 33.37 feet Friday morning, meteorologists said. The river rose more than 27 feet from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, the highest crest since record-keeping began more than 125 years ago, according to the National Weather Service.
 |
Mark
Bowes makes his way to the road after severe flooding in White Sulphur
Springs, West Virginia, on Friday, June 24. A state of emergency has
been declared in 44 counties.
|
Also in White Sulphur Springs, the storms severely impacted The Greenbrier, a luxury resort that was scheduled to host the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic July 7-10.
The PGA announced Saturday that the tournament is canceled because the course was badly damaged.
"We are heartbroken by the devastation the residents of West Virginia are experiencing at this time and the reports of lives lost due to the terrible flooding," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.
Professional PGA golfer Bubba Watson, who was at the resort when the storms hit, shared a photo and video on his Twitter account showing the grounds covered in fast-moving brown water.
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| Chad Agner captured photos of the devastating flooding in his area of White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, on Friday. His home was washed away by powerful flood waters overnight. |
