Wheeling, W.Va. – Today, Governor Patrick Morrisey delivered updates on the state and local response to severe flash flooding in Ohio County. This morning, Governor Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Ohio County and has mobilized state resources to assist.
Flash Flooding occurred throughout the city of Wheeling and the towns of Triadelphia and Valley Grove beginning late yesterday evening. Roughly 3-4 inches of rain fell in the area in a short period of time, prompting significant flash flooding along US 40 (National Road), Middle Wheeling Creek, Little Wheeling Creek and various runs and streams through Ohio County.
As of 5pm, there are five confirmed fatalities and three missing persons. State officials are working hand in hand with local emergency responders to do everything in our power to locate missing persons as quickly as possible.
Power outages continue to be a challenge in the region, with 2,500 reported outages as of 2pm. Linemen are working on restoring power quickly, and the state has offered any assistance necessary to get folks back up and running.
FEMA has already been notified and we are working with them to ensure we are ready to receive any additional assistance from the federal government.
National Guard
- Governor Morrisey mobilized the National Guard to support local emergency operations.
- The Joint Operations Center is fully engaged, coordinating response efforts across agencies. Community Assistance Teams, including Liaison Officers, are deployed to work directly with local emergency management and assist affected residents.
- Engineering units with loaders and dump trucks are mobilized to clear debris, reopen access routes, and support critical infrastructure.
- Aviation assets remain on standby to conduct search and rescue missions for individuals who may be stranded or in immediate danger.
- National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are working in close coordination with local authorities to ensure timely, life-saving support.
Division of Natural Resources
- The Division of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently utilizing drones, UTV’s, 4x4 vehicles, dive teams, and swift water teams.
- The DNR has assisted in 19 successful swiftwater rescues.
Division of Emergency Management
- Coordinating with the town of Valley Grove to ensure quick delivery of water pallets
- Generators and additional supplies are headed to the region.
- Coordinating the delivery of cleanup kits to get working on this right away. We expect these kits to be delivered by tomorrow.
Division of Highways
- More than 12 roads and 3 bridges are closed in the city and county.
- Teams are already on-site conducting assessments on these roads and clearing them of debris.
- Working with local landfill to remove and transfer debris off roads to landfills.
- Ensuring first responders have access where needed
- Currently working on more than 15 routes in Triadelphia and Valley Grove area
- Governor Morrisey has directed the deployment of transportation resources from across the state to assist local crews.
- 30 pieces of equipment, with operators, are on scene to help with clean-up and will stay until clean-up is complete.
Department of Environmental Protection
- Conducting inspections on facilities and has received no word of any issues.
- Authorized landfills to stay open for extended hours and stands ready to authorize any additional debris staging areas.
- Waived tonnage limitation and disposal fees