The following is content from an external news source, republished with permission.
by Amelia Ferrell Knisely, Caity Coyne and Lori Kersey, West Virginia Watch
June 16, 2025
Six people were killed, including a toddler and teen, and dozens more displaced after up to 5 inches of rain caused flash flooding in parts of Ohio and Marion counties in West Virginia over the weekend.
Three people were still unaccounted for in Wheeling as of Monday afternoon.
“This is a very difficult time for West Virginia,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Monday at a press conference in Fairmont. “My heart continues to go out to the families who have lost loved ones.”
More than 40 people have been rescued from the water in Marion and Ohio counties since Saturday.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground, according to Morrisey. A lack of funding of state flood relief money makes West Virginia especially reliant on the federal government when it comes to flood recovery.
“We want to receive every bit of assistance that our citizens deserve … I’m not going to predict what’s going to happen,” the governor said.
Water ripped through the Wheeling-area and Fairmont Saturday and Sunday.
Rushing water tore apart the Fairmont Village Apartment building, leaving people’s beds, bathrooms and more exposed to the outside. The building’s 29 residents are accounted for, officials said, and Fairmont State University is housing those displaced individuals.
More rain is forecast this week as recovery efforts are underway. When asked what the state could do to prevent another round of devastating floods, Morrisey said in some situations, the state was just dealing with Mother Nature.
Wheeling was hit by flooding last year, and around 200 tombstones were washed out after powerful storms. The flooding in northern West Virginia is the second severe weather event to hit the state this year. In February, deadly flood waters ripped through the state’s southern coalfields, where three people died as a result.
While deadly flooding events are becoming more common in the state — and as dangerous flood zones are expanding due to climate change as well as continuous flooding — leaders have failed to fund efforts that could help prevent the most severe consequences of these events and assist communities in recovering from them.
Going into the 2025 regular legislative session, Morrisey’s proposed budget included no money for the state’s Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. Lawmakers didn’t propose the funding, either.
“There will be additional discussions with the Legislature and others about the importance of flood prevention … I want to make sure we’re learning from the past,” Morrisey said.
Search efforts continue in Wheeling
Search efforts continue for at least three missing individuals in Ohio County, and the Division of Natural Resources is currently utilizing drones, 4×4 vehicles, dive teams and more.
Three to four inches of rain fell over a 72-hour period Saturday, washing through the areas of Wheeling, Valley Grove and Triadelphia.
“ … Because we saw so much rain in so little time, that caused significant flooding,” said Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. “We saw nearby Wheeling Creek within basically an hour, rose about seven feet, and that led to the unfortunate results and damages in that region.”
Del. Bill Flanigan, R-Ohio, said, “The entire bottom valley is completely gone or altered. I’m not sure that we’ll ever see it back the way it was before.”
Debris in creeks before the downpour contributed to the flooding, Flanigan noted. He spent time with the area’s first responders over the weekend walking along water banks looking for people’s vehicles that had washed away.
“The crew I was with, we found 14 cars,” he said, adding that the area’s first responders had worked around the clock over the last few days.
Holy Family Child Care in Wheeling is offering emergency child care for families who need to clean out their homes.
“Tragedy has hit our community and families are suffering,” said Terra Crews, executive director for Holy Family Child Care.” We want to extend our help to those who are serving those in need or suffering during this time. Having a safe place for their children will alleviate some of the burden they are facing.”
The state Department of Highways has brought in 29 pieces of heavy equipment to the area to work on damaged roads and bridges and clean up massive debris, MetroNews reported. A news release from the city of Wheeling on Monday said Appalachian Power is working to restore power to roughly 1,700 homes after several utility poles were damaged.
Flood prevention fund still empty
In April, weeks after flood waters killed three people in McDowell County, Flanigan was one of 10 Republicans in the House that voted to put $50 million in a flood prevention fund.
This measure, sponsored by House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, failed. The fund was set up in 2023 under the State Resiliency Office to help protect communities affected by flooding events and implement recommendations included in the state’s flood plan. Since its inception, the fund has never been allocated money.
“We’ve seen increased flooding in West Virginia than I noticed as a kid. It wasn’t as rapid and wide as what’s occurring,” Flanigan said. “It makes sense we have a flood fund in place. Let’s get it operational.”
In a statement Monday, the West Virginia Democratic Party urged the state to put funding into the state flood resiliency trust fund.
“In West Virginia, it’s not a matter of if we’ll see flooding — it’s when and where,” said Hornbuckle, D-Cabell. “We have the data, we have the plans and we have a fund already on the books. What we don’t have is the political will from Republican leadership to invest in our people’s safety.”
In 2024, former Gov. Jim Justice asked the state Legislature to approve $50 million for the emergency flood fund. On the final day of session, however, lawmakers axed that line item from the final version of the budget bill. That April, in the lead up to a special session, Justice said he planned to include the $50 million Flood Resiliency Trust Fund appropriation in his call. But when the call came out, the flood emergency funding wasn’t included.
Statewide, only 1.2% of residential structures in West Virginia were insured for flood damage through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program in 2024, according to data from the federal agency. That data does not include residential structures covered through private insurance.
A 2023 report from researchers at West Virginia University found that 94% of West Virginia communities are considered “Special Flood Hazard Areas,” meaning they are at high risk of flooding.
Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, said that the recent floods around the state show a need for the resiliency fund. It would make sense to put time and resources into working with local governments on preventative measures, he said.
“If there are things that can be done with storm water infrastructure, if there are areas where we need to make sure that debris is being removed from certain places — all those things should be options,” he said.
Ways to help:
If you are in an area impacted by this weekend’s flooding and need immediate assistance, call the American Red Cross Flood at 1-800-RED-CROSS for information and resources.
If you’re looking for ways to help individuals affected by the recent deadly floods, the following organizations are accepting donations:
Appalachian Outreach
The Wheeling based nonprofit organization is asking specifically for cleaning supplies, socks, underwear, shelf-stable unexpired food and hygiene items for those in need. Donations can be dropped off at 3900 Wood Street, Wheeling, West Virginia between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call 304-238-4312 or 304-830-5197 for more information.
United Way
The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley is accepting monetary donations to assist with recovery efforts. You can donate online and visit the organization’s Facebook page for more information and updates on needs.
The Tygart Valley United Way is coordinating donations across the Fairmont area. Hygiene items can be dropped off at the Marion County Rescue Squad at 400 Virginia Ave., Fairmont, West Virginia. Cleaning supplies can be brought to the Fairmont Public Safety Building at 500 Quincy Street.
The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling, Inc.
The nonprofit feeding center is collecting bottled water, sliced lunch meats, fresh fruit, buns or bread, condiments and individually wrapped snacks for packaged lunches to be delivered to victims and volunteers in the area. Visit Facebook for more information and send the organization a message to organize a drop off.
General response organizations
More than 60 leaders from organizations in the Ohio County region met Monday morning to discuss response efforts. Currently, according to Facebook, they’re looking for donations of cleaning supplies, first aid kits, paper plates and utensils, flashlights, portable batteries, phone chargers, muck boots, pet food, manual can openers and more.
Donations can be dropped off at Elm Grove Elementary School between 8 a.m. and noon. See Facebook for more information.
Ohio Valley Mutual Aid
Those looking to give their time are needed at the Armory in Wheeling to help sort donations and move items inside on Monday evening, according to Ohio Valley Mutual Aid.
The mutual aid group is also looking for donations for cleanup, including paper towels, rags, storage bins, laundry detergent, soap, waterproof gloves, flat shovels, dehumidifiers, fans and more. Visit the organization’s LinkTree for more information.
WV Fitness 24, in Bridgeport
The gym, located at 119 Tolley Drive in Bridgeport, is accepting donations of hygiene products — including diapers, wipes, feminine products, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, shampoo and towels — as well as cleaning supplies, food and water and other staples, like chargers, batteries, socks and underwear.
All donations will go to the Marion County Rescue Squad and be distributed to local shelters. Visit Facebook for more information.
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West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.
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