PICTURED: Burning house is swept away by West Virginia's worst flooding in a century that left 23 dead including two young boys
PUBLISHED: 04:16, 25 June 2016 | UPDATED: 06:20, 25 June 2016
A burning house was pictured being swept away by torrential waters in West Virginia while flames ravaged it - as the state experienced its worst flooding in a century.
A video of the home was shared on Facebook Thursday by a woman who became stranded in her car with her dogs in White Sulphur Springs. She asked for prayers in her post - and was met with advice from other users who told her not to try to cross the road even if the water seemed to recede.
At least 23 people have died since thunderstorms pulled up to 10 inches of rain in certain parts of West Virginia Thursday, causing rivers and streams to overflow.
Rescuers pulled hundreds of people from swamped homes but thousands remain without power and rescue operations are expected to last through the weekend.
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- A woman shared a video of the house on Facebook while asking for prayers as she was stuck in a car with her dogs
- The house appears in the clip drifting away into the waters in White Sulphur Springs as flames ravage it
- At least 23 people have died since up to 10 inches of rain pummeled parts of West Virginia on Thursday
- Emanual Williams, 8, died after he slipped by an Elm Grove creek and was pulled under the water
- The body of four-year-old Edward McMillion, who went missing in Ravenswood, was found on Friday
- Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency for 44 of the 55 counties in the state
- Rivers were expected to crest by Friday night but the rescue and recovery effort is likely to last through the weekend
PUBLISHED: 04:16, 25 June 2016 | UPDATED: 06:20, 25 June 2016
A burning house was pictured being swept away by torrential waters in West Virginia while flames ravaged it - as the state experienced its worst flooding in a century.
A video of the home was shared on Facebook Thursday by a woman who became stranded in her car with her dogs in White Sulphur Springs. She asked for prayers in her post - and was met with advice from other users who told her not to try to cross the road even if the water seemed to recede.
At least 23 people have died since thunderstorms pulled up to 10 inches of rain in certain parts of West Virginia Thursday, causing rivers and streams to overflow.
Rescuers pulled hundreds of people from swamped homes but thousands remain without power and rescue operations are expected to last through the weekend.
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At least 23 people have died since thunderstorms pulled up to 10 inches of rain in certain parts of West Virginia Thursday, causing rivers and streams to overflow. Pictured, a company's building remains hanging off the side if a hill in Richwood after getting knocked off
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Greenbrier County, in the southwestern part of the state, became its hardest-hit area with 15 deaths. Pictured, Jay Bennett (left) and his stepson survey the damage to their neighbor's car in the county's White Sulphur Springs
The burning house caught fire in White Sulphur Springs after being struck by lightning according to the Weather Channel. It appeared in the short video drifting away into the waters while the flames destroyed it.
Amanda Carper shared the clip on Facebook, writing in the caption: 'Please everyone pray! We are stuck in the car with our precious dogs.'
Other users responded with messages of support. Carper asked in another comment: 'Do you know when the rain will stop and if and when we can get out?'
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A man told her not to try to cross the road and to wait for rescuers to come instead.
'Even if the rain stops and the water goes down a little don't try and cross it, call 911 and wait for help,' he wrote. 'People mistakenly try and cross roads when water goes down a little all the time and get swept away. Be safe and I hope you get help soon.'
White Sulphur Springs is located in Greenbrier County in the southwestern part of the state, which became its hardest-hit area with 15 deaths.
The death toll in West Virginia rose to at least 23 on Friday according to the state medical examiner.
'Roads destroyed, bridges out, homes burned down, washed off foundations,' Greenbrier County Sheriff Jan Cahill said according to the Weather Channel. 'Multiple sections of highway just missing. Pavement just peeled off like a banana. I've never seen anything like that.'
Virginia also declared a state of emergency, the Weather Channel reported Friday evening.
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The death toll rose to at least 23 on Friday according to the state medical examiner. Pictured, a vehicle goes through the flooded Lower Oakford Avenue in Richwood on Friday
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Rescuers pulled hundreds of people from swamped homes. Pictured (left), exposed piping and sewers systems are left exposed in Richwood and (right) residents look over a damaged sidewalk on Oakford Avenue Friday
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Thousands of people remain without power across the state and rescue operations are expected to last through the weekend. Pictured, a man steers his boat after rescuing a couple from a parking lot in Elkview
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Multiple rivers have risen to dangerous heights, including the Elk River, which reached 32 feet, the highest since 1888. Pictured, two women embrace a resident whose home was destroyed by heavy rains and flooding in Elkview
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The storm also stranded 500 people, some of them with their vehicles, at the Elkview Crossings Mall after an overpass bridge connecting the mall to the main road was swept away (pictured)
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Parts of the mangled bridge sat in Little Sandy Creek (pictured) as water streamed past in Elkview on Friday. The culvert collapsed late Thursday due to heavy rainfall and flooding, leaving many people and vehicles stranded overnight
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'Even if the rain stops and the water goes down a little don't try and cross it, call 911 and wait for help,' he wrote. 'People mistakenly try and cross roads when water goes down a little all the time and get swept away. Be safe and I hope you get help soon.'
White Sulphur Springs is located in Greenbrier County in the southwestern part of the state, which became its hardest-hit area with 15 deaths.
The death toll in West Virginia rose to at least 23 on Friday according to the state medical examiner.
'Roads destroyed, bridges out, homes burned down, washed off foundations,' Greenbrier County Sheriff Jan Cahill said according to the Weather Channel. 'Multiple sections of highway just missing. Pavement just peeled off like a banana. I've never seen anything like that.'
Virginia also declared a state of emergency, the Weather Channel reported Friday evening.
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The death toll rose to at least 23 on Friday according to the state medical examiner. Pictured, a vehicle goes through the flooded Lower Oakford Avenue in Richwood on Friday
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Rescuers pulled hundreds of people from swamped homes. Pictured (left), exposed piping and sewers systems are left exposed in Richwood and (right) residents look over a damaged sidewalk on Oakford Avenue Friday
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Thousands of people remain without power across the state and rescue operations are expected to last through the weekend. Pictured, a man steers his boat after rescuing a couple from a parking lot in Elkview
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Multiple rivers have risen to dangerous heights, including the Elk River, which reached 32 feet, the highest since 1888. Pictured, two women embrace a resident whose home was destroyed by heavy rains and flooding in Elkview
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The storm also stranded 500 people, some of them with their vehicles, at the Elkview Crossings Mall after an overpass bridge connecting the mall to the main road was swept away (pictured)
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Parts of the mangled bridge sat in Little Sandy Creek (pictured) as water streamed past in Elkview on Friday. The culvert collapsed late Thursday due to heavy rainfall and flooding, leaving many people and vehicles stranded overnight
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The governor declared a state of emergency in 44 of 55 counties and deployed 200 members of the West Virginia National Guard to help rescue efforts on Friday. Pictured, road damage in Kanawha County
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Government officials are focusing resources on rescuing those trapped or swept away by the flooding. Pictured, emergency crews take out boats in Kanawha County
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West Virginia received one-quarter of its annual rainfall in a single day. Pictured, high water is seen in Elkview after West Virginia was pummeled by up to 10 inches of rain on Thursday
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A spokesman for the emergency services warned that many residents do not know what shape their house has been left in. Pictured, a woman looks through family photographs as she sits on the roof of her damaged home in Elkview
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Meanwhile, items were left spilled about inside the house in Elkview (pictured). The storms that drenched West Virginia were part of a severe weather system that has swept through the US Midwest, triggering tornadoes
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A woman (pictured) hugged a relative as they cleaned up after severe flooding that washed through White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia Friday, knocking power out of tens of thousands of homes and businesses
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A house (pictured) was left destroyed by the floods in White Sulphur Springs in West Virginia. Spectators (pictured) took photographs of the remnants as the cleanup began Friday
'The damage is widespread and devastating,' West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said at a news conference. 'Our biggest challenge continues to be high waters.'
Multiple rivers have risen to dangerous heights, including the Elk River, which reached 32 feet, the highest since 1888, Tomblin said.
Government officials are focusing resources on rescuing those trapped or swept away by the flooding, he said, adding that some 66,000 residences are without power.
The governor declared a state of emergency in 44 of 55 counties and deployed 200 members of the West Virginia National Guard to help rescue efforts on Friday.
Rivers were expected to crest by Friday night but the rescue and recovery effort is likely to last through the weekend, said Tim Rock, spokesman for the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
'There have been towns that have been completely surrounded by water,' Rock said. 'People say there is eight to nine feet of water in their house.
'It's at least into the hundreds forced to get emergency shelter,' he said. 'Even if you can get back into your home, who knows what kind of shape it's in.'
West Virginia received one-quarter of its annual rainfall in a single day, National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira said. Rains eased on Friday with only scattered showers expected.
The storms that drenched West Virginia were part of a severe weather system that has swept through the US Midwest, triggering tornadoes.
The body of a four-year-old boy was found after he disappeared in an unexpected flash flood Thursday. Authorities said Edward McMillon was swept into the flood after he fell into the water outside his home in Ravenswood.
His grandfather got in the water but was unsuccessful in his attempts to save him. Rescue crews searched for five hours that night and managed to spot Edward twice, but the current was too fast to catch him.
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Emanual Williams, eight, was one of four people killed in the devastating West Virginia floods. He was swept away in the currents after he slipped and fell while walking along the bank of Wheeling Creek in the Elm Grove area with his mother and nine-year-old sister
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Rescue crews (pictured) searched for Emanual for nearly three hours before they found him unresponsive in a creek. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead
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Edward McMillion, four, was also swept up in the floodwaters after slipping in front of his home in Ravenswood. His body was found on Friday morning, a mile away from his home
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Rescue crews (pictured) spent five hours searching for Edward in Jackson Conty on Thursday night before a lightning storm forced them to halt efforts. Three fire departments were dispatched to look for him
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Flash flooding swept through the state on Thursday (pictured is Richwood) as the Governor declared a state of emergency in 44 counties
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Two residents of White Sulphur Springs embrace as they clean up their devastated neighborhood following the floods. Jimmy Scott, pictured, lost his home to the flood and a fire that consumed his house and those of several relatives
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Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said at least 100 homes had been destroyed by the floodwaters. Pictured, a dog guards the front steps of its home, which was swept away in White Sulphur Springs
A lightning storm forced the crews to halt rescue efforts until the following morning, WSAZ reported. Ripley Fire and Rescue said dive teams and boats from three different fire departments were involved in the search.
The boy's body was found around 10.45am on Friday, a mile away from where he was last seen, according to ABC News.
Emanual Williams, 8, also slipped into the water when he was pulled under and swept away by the flash floods.
He walking with his mother, Jackie Christopher, and his nine-year-old sister along the bank of Wheeling Creek, just half a mile from his home in the Elm Grove area, when he slipped around 3.20pm. His mother grabbed his hand and tried to save him but her efforts were unsuccessful.
Emanual was found unresponsive in the creek nearly three hours later, according to WTOV 9. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities said the creek runs 20-feet deep and that the water was 'very swift'.
Three people were killed in Kanawha County, including an elderly man who drowned around 8.30pm near Clendenin.
The storm also stranded 500 people at the Elkview Crossings Mall after an overpass bridge connecting the mall to the main road was swept away.
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A White Sulphur Springs resident cleans out a box with creek water on Friday afternoon. Only scattered showers were expected by then but the recovery effort was likely to last through the weekend
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Overturned cars (pictured in White Sulphur Springs) littered the ravaged streets in the state, where some areas were hit with up to 9 inches of rain during the storm
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Kelly Hughes, a resident of Richwood, West Virginia, posted photos of her flooded hometown on Facebook
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Richwood, in Nicholas County, was hit particularly hard during the storm, with residents putting up video of dirty flood waters rushing through the center of town
Many spent the night sleeping in their cars or in businesses inside the malls and restaurants kept their door open to feed the unlucky shoppers, according to WRDW.
The National Guard is building a temporary bridge to help people exit the plaza.
'This severe storm has caused rockslides, mudslides, and flooding, and damaged homes, businesses, road and bridges,' Governor Tomblin said earlier in a starement.
'Certain portions of Greenbrier and Nicholas Counties have been rendered inaccessible because of public infrastructure damage.'
And flooding was so severe in the town of Clendenin that it could only be reached by helicopter on Thursday night, according to the Weather Channel.
The Kanawha Sheriff's Department also put out a statement urging residents to stay off the roads except in the case of an emergency.
'Due to the widespread flooding through the county, there are many road closures. Travel throughout the county will be very dangerous today,' the statement said, and warned drivers not to travel through high water.
The city of Richwood, in Nicholas County, was hit particularly hard during the storm, with residents putting up video of dirty flood waters rushing through the center of town.
On Facebook, resident Kelly Hughes put up a picture that showed her high school's football field was completely flooded.
'See that lake? Yeah that's NOT a lake! That's our high school football field!' she wrote, saying the scene had brought her to tears.
A nursing home in Richwood with up to 110 residents had to be evacuated to a nearby church as the town was ravaged by severe flooding.
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Governor Tomblin said that some areas had experienced flooding that was the worst the state has seen in a century. Virginia also declared a state of emergency Friday
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Rock, mud, trees, downed power lines and other debris litter the road on Main Street leading into Richwood after severe flooding and multiple rockslides on Friday
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Richwood was already hit with three inches of rain earlier this week and Thursday's rainfall only made conditions worse. Pictured, a resident stands among the aftermath of a rockslide
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As the water finally receded on Friday, the full extent of its damage was revealed to West Virginia residents. Pictured, a White Sulphur Springs resident sorts through debris Friday
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Exposed piping of city water and sewers systems (pictured in Richwood Friday) were left exposed by the removal of front lawns and large portions of asphalt
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One Richwood resident was lucky to have her house untouched, but the flood's destruction was evident on her front lawn. She is pictured on Friday sweeping pebbles and small rocks from her doorstep
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Richwood residents (pictured) receive cases of bottled water from the volunteer fire department as they clean up on Friday as the cleanup effort gets underway
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The Richwood area was expected to get six inches of rain in one day, but it appears it may have received even more
Mayor Robert Johnson said most of the area's downtown roads were incapacitated and that a dozen businesses had already been damaged, according to West Virginia MetroNews.
'We pretty much live in a bowl, and the bowl filled with water,' he told the Associated Press.
Johnson said residents were seeking higher ground, although an official call for evacuation had not yet been issued.
Richwood was already hit with three inches of rain earlier this week and Thursday's rainfall only made conditions worse.
Meanwhile the Greenbrier Resort, a golf course in White Sulphur Springs that has been designated a National Historic Landmark, is almost completely submerged underwater.
The resort is scheduled to host the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic starting on July 7.
'It's like nothing I've seen,' said owner and CEO Jim Justice. 'But our focus right now isn't on the property, the golf course or anything else. We're praying for the people and doing everything we can to get them the help they need.'
The resort said all actions are being taken to keep guests and resort employees safe.
Professional golfer Bubba Watson posted pictures and videos of the flooded course on his Twitter, writing '1st hole tee shoot not so easy right now!'
PGA Tour rules official Ken Tackett said it is too soon to tell if the tournament will need to be rescheduled or postponed.
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The governor authorized the deployment of up to 150 members of the West Virginia National Guard to assist local emergency responders
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Professional golfer Bubba Watson shared this photo of the the Greenbrier Resort golf course, which was completely submerged
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This public high school in Richwood was also completely flooded with rainwater. Parts of the state received up the 9 inches of rain
Read more:
- UPDATE: Water search for missing toddler "primarily suspended" due to lightning storm
- Rescue Efforts Underway for Toddler Carried Off in West Virginia Flash Floods - ABC News
- wchstv.com/news/...
- wtov9.com/news/l...
- WV MetroNews – Substantial flooding in Richwood and at The Greenbrier; flooding in Summersville as well
- weather.com/stor...
- Bridge collapse traps 500 people in shopping plaza
- 14 Dead in West Virginia Flooding, Body of Missing Child Found - ABC News
- weather.com/stor...
- Update Your Browser | Facebook
- weather.com/stor...
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Said a couple of prayers as I read through another spectacular superbeets pictorial.
I thank God for my blessings every day.
Life is indeed hard sometimes, Willie. Very hard for these people.
But the goodness in humanity will overcome. How about the kid carrying the bottled water that weights as much as him. All to help someone else. What a picture.
I thank God for my blessings every day.
Life is indeed hard sometimes, Willie. Very hard for these people.
But the goodness in humanity will overcome. How about the kid carrying the bottled water that weights as much as him. All to help someone else. What a picture.
liberals blame natural disasters like this on Republicans
Exhibit A: Katrina (there are actually "katrina truthers who argue Bush blew up the levies)
Exhibit B: Algores who blame people who drive SUV's (remember when man made global warming was Bush's fault)
libtards make me want to puke on them
the real idiots are lucky they get a few bleeding hearts to tag along
Exhibit A: Katrina (there are actually "katrina truthers who argue Bush blew up the levies)
Exhibit B: Algores who blame people who drive SUV's (remember when man made global warming was Bush's fault)
libtards make me want to puke on them
the real idiots are lucky they get a few bleeding hearts to tag along
