Governor Patrick Morrisey declares a state of emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties following catastrophic flash floods.

Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties on Tuesday night after torrential rains triggered catastrophic flash flooding across the state. The storms dropped up to 7 inches of rain in some areas, causing life-threatening conditions that inundated homes, washed out bridges, and submerged vehicles. The flooding reached historic levels, with the Sand Run creek near Buckhannon shattering a record set in 1985. To manage the crisis, the administration deployed over 500 National Guard members to the hardest-hit regions, including Lewis, Pleasants, and Upshur counties. Emergency crews performed dozens of water rescues as residents navigated submerged roadways and damaged infrastructure. While no fatalities have been confirmed, Governor Patrick Morrisey noted that officials remain focused on protecting human life and identifying any individuals who may still be unaccounted for. The administration is currently transitioning from search and rescue operations to debris removal and power restoration. Residents are urged to remain cautious as many roads remain impassable and the ground remains saturated from recent rainfall.

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