2 dead after historic flooding swamps West Virginia
West Virginia’s governor said at least two people died after torrential rain sent creeks surging to historic levels, washed out bridges and prompted numerous water rescues.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency due to flash flooding that has drenched the state. In Weston, the streets were submerged underwater, enough to carry this car away.
Record-breaking flash flooding inundated communities across West Virginia Tuesday as powerful thunderstorms unleashed torrential rain from Tennessee to Ohio, leaving roads submerged, thousands without power and tornado damage across the region.
Some of the most serious flooding unfolded in north-central West Virginia, where 3-6 inches of rain fell in about 12 hours. Isolated locations received as much as 7 inches, overwhelming creeks and drainage systems and sending water rushing into homes and businesses.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties Tuesday night because of flash flooding, landslides, road closures and other storm damage.
On Thursday, Morrisey said at least two people died during the flooding.
“We are concerned about loss of life,’ Morrisey said, adding there were two missing people swept away in a vehicle in Upshur County. It's unclear if the two victims are also the missing persons.
Severe storms dumped torrential rainfall and dangerous flash flooding in West Virginia, including the communities of Buckhannon and Horner, where streets were submerged and large objects floated away.
Morrisey deployed 100 members of the West Virginia National Guard to the hardest-hit areas, with another 200 expected to arrive Wednesday. Officials reported numerous water rescues, washed-out bridges and roads that remained impassable because of high water and debris. No deaths had been reported as of Wednesday morning.
A flash flood emergency was issued Tuesday evening for central Upshur County, including Buckhannon, with the urgent warning: “Seek higher ground now.”
Sand Run near Buckhannon surged to 10.63 feet Tuesday evening, reaching major flood stage and shattering the previous record crest of 8.3 feet set during the devastating November 1985 floods. The water level later receded into minor flood stage.
An ATV is carried away by flooding in Buckhannon, West Virginia, on July 21, 2026. (Image: Jonny Reed)
The 1985 flooding killed 47 people across West Virginia and has long been considered one of the worst natural disasters in the state’s history. Tuesday’s crest surpassed the level recorded during that disaster by more than 2 feet.
The Tygart Valley River at Philippi was forecast to crest near 25 feet, around the threshold for major flooding.
Witness videos captured the speed and intensity of the flooding across Lewis and Upshur counties. Roads disappeared beneath muddy water in Buckhannon, where vehicles were left partially submerged and debris was swept through residential neighborhoods.
Jonny Reed was at his Buckhannon home Tuesday evening when he noticed water rapidly rising outside. His security cameras recorded him grabbing his son, getting into his truck and driving across the street to higher ground.
The video shows a neighbor’s storage shed floating past the house. Minutes later, Reed’s four-wheeler and a large tree were carried away.
“I’ve never seen the water rise as fast as it did today,” Reed wrote on Facebook. “I’ve been on this earth for 37 years and this was prob the most scared I’ve been, maybe ever.”
Floodwaters also inundated homes and businesses elsewhere in the state. Vehicles were submerged near a shopping center in Weston, bridges were washed out and a sinkhole swallowed a vehicle in Fayetteville, according to authorities.
More than 25,000 customers in West Virginia remained without electricity Wednesday morning as crews assessed damage and worked to restore service.
Flooding and tornadoes strike Ohio
A driver in Youngstown, Ohio, caught a tornado in the side mirror as severe storms swept through the region with damaging winds, hail, flash flooding and tornado threats.
In Ohio, rounds of heavy rain flooded streets and businesses, including areas near Cincinnati that were still cleaning up from flooding just four days earlier.
More than 14,000 customers remained without power Wednesday morning.
The storms also spawned at least two tornadoes in Ohio. The National Weather Service confirmed that one tornado touched down in Pierce Township in Clermont County, east of Cincinnati. Another tornado was documented in Mahoning County, moving east of Youngstown toward Campbell. Storm surveys were expected to determine their strength and path lengths.
Video recorded near Youngstown showed a tornado looming in the side mirror of a truck as the driver traveled away from the storm.
Torrential rain sweeps into Tennessee
The same storm system brought flash flooding and wind damage to middle Tennessee Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
Flooded roads, fallen trees and downed power lines were reported in Robertson County, where emergency management officials urged residents to remain home until the water receded. Thousands of outages were also reported in Dickson County after the storms moved through.
Nashville Fire Department crews responded to multiple water rescues, bringing seven people to safety.
Flash flood warnings were issued overnight as thunderstorms repeatedly moved across parts of middle Tennessee and produced locally torrential rainfall.
The sprawling storm system also generated damaging winds and tornadoes farther north and east. In addition to the confirmed tornadoes in Ohio, tornadoes were reported Tuesday in Kentucky and New Jersey as the severe weather swept toward the East Coast.
A likely tornado was spotted across fields in Owen County, Kentucky, on July 21, as lightning flashed around the funnel.
