Search and Rescue Continues as Hundreds of National Guard Members Respond to Central West Virginia Flooding
BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Nearly 24 hours after severe flooding swept across central West Virginia, hundreds of National Guard members, local first responders and emergency personnel from across the state remained focused Wednesday on saving lives and reaching communities damaged by rapidly rising water.
Floodwater had begun to recede in portions of Lewis County by Wednesday afternoon, revealing significant damage in Weston and surrounding communities. In Buckhannon and parts of Upshur County, however, water remained high as search and rescue operations continued.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey provided an update from Buckhannon around 4 p.m. Wednesday after surveying Lewis and Upshur counties from the air.
“Right now, we’re in the phase of search and rescue,” Morrisey said. “We remain in a position where we’re looking to identify any individual who we might be able to save.”
The governor said officials remained concerned about the possibility of fatalities but were not prepared to make any announcements as crews continued searching streets, neighborhoods and other vulnerable areas.
The West Virginia National Guard was activated Tuesday as conditions deteriorated across the state. Approximately 100 Guard members arrived overnight in the Elkins and Weston-Buckhannon areas, followed by another 400 Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday afternoon, more than 500 Guard members were operating across the region, including more than 300 in Upshur County and nearly 200 in Lewis County.
Guard liaison officers were deployed to county emergency operations centers to coordinate with local officials. Swift-water rescue teams, military engineers, aircraft and other Guard resources were also supporting the response.
Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, said Guard members began moving into the region Tuesday evening as reports of severe weather increased.
Swift-water teams worked alongside local responders overnight, while engineers attempted to identify passable routes into communities cut off by flooded or damaged roads.
Seven Guard aircraft were operating across the affected counties Wednesday, supporting searches and beginning damage assessments.
“We’re here for the long haul,” Seward said. “We’ll be here right alongside all of you.”
The state response followed hours of rescue work by local agencies and emergency crews sent from neighboring communities.
Volunteer and career firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel and specialized water-rescue teams worked throughout Tuesday evening and overnight as floodwater entered homes and businesses, carried debris through communities and covered major and secondary roads.
Morrisey said local agencies performed much of the immediate lifesaving work.
“The local folks on the ground here in Upshur County, the first responders, they really do the lion’s share of the work,” he said.
Mutual-aid personnel arrived from communities and counties across West Virginia. Officials specifically recognized assistance from Elkins, Hurricane, Hampshire County, Kanawha County, Jackson County and other municipalities and emergency agencies.
Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner said Elkins police and firefighters assisted Tuesday night, while additional municipal employees were expected to help with cleanup as the water receded.
“We appreciate so much the countless municipalities that have reached out and come to our aid,” Skinner said.
The flooding followed intense rainfall Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Skinner said more than 7 inches of rain fell in the Buckhannon area, with approximately 4.5 inches arriving in just 37 minutes.
“It’s just simply too much for any one system to take on,” Skinner said.
Water rose quickly across Buckhannon, Weston and surrounding communities, entering homes and businesses and prompting emergency rescues.
One of the first widely shared images Tuesday afternoon showed extensive flooding around the Walmart in Weston. Water covered much of the parking area and surrounding property as conditions deteriorated across Lewis County.
Officials said more than 100 rescues had been conducted across the affected region by local responders, the West Virginia Natural Resources Police, law enforcement agencies and other emergency personnel.
Morrisey said several people were rescued from the Weston Walmart. He also reported that responders located a 77-year-old resident alive during continuing search operations.
As darkness fell Tuesday, crews entered communities where roads were submerged, damaged or potentially washed away. Responders operating trucks and boats often could see only what was illuminated directly in front of them as they navigated floodwater, debris and hidden hazards.
It became a long and dangerous night for the first responders who continued working rescue by rescue until daylight and throughout Wednesday.
Flooding also created significant transportation problems across the region.
Early Wednesday morning, floodwater covered all four lanes of Interstate 79 near mile marker 105 in the Jane Lew area.
A photograph provided to Connect Clarksburg by Jason Adams showed water extending across both northbound and southbound lanes. Adams had been stranded along the interstate for several hours before traffic began moving slowly Wednesday morning.
Morrisey said both directions of Interstate 79 had reopened by Wednesday afternoon, although motorists were urged to remain cautious as crews continued inspecting roads and surrounding infrastructure.
The West Virginia Division of Highways deployed more than 3,100 employees and more than 300 pieces of heavy equipment statewide. Crews were pumping water from highways, removing debris, repairing washouts and inspecting bridges.
More than 150 pieces of highway equipment were damaged by floodwater, according to the governor.
Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital remained on generator power Wednesday but had adequate fuel to continue medical, surgical and intensive-care services, Morrisey said.
Three shelters remained open at Buckhannon Nazarene Church, Lewis County High School and Philippi Middle School. More than 100 residents were staying in shelters as of Wednesday morning.
FEMA personnel were also on the ground and were expected to work with state and local officials as the response transitions from search and rescue to damage assessments and applications for federal assistance.
Although water was beginning to recede in Lewis County, Morrisey said search and rescue operations could continue for another day as crews work to determine whether everyone is accounted for.
The next phase will include restoring power, clearing roads, removing debris, assessing damage and providing longer-term support to affected communities.
Officials cautioned that the full extent of the damage was not yet known and that recovery would not happen overnight.
“We’re still literally 24 hours into the process,” Morrisey said. “Protecting life is the number one priority.”
