n June 23, 2016, a devastating flood hit areas of the U.S.

state of West Virgini

a and nearby parts of Virginia, resulting in at least 23 deaths. The flood has b
een called a 1 in 1,000 year event for the area. The flooding was the result of
8 to 10 in (200 to 250 mm) of rain falling over a period of only a few hours, an
d resulted in the third-deadliest flood in the history of West Virginia, after o
nly the Buffalo Creek flood of 1972 and the Election day floods of 1985.[2] It i
s also the deadliest flash flood event in the United States since the 2010 Tenne
ssee floods.[3On June 23, 2016, thunderstorms brought torrential rain to much of
West Virginia, resulting in accumulations of up to 10 in (250 mm) in only a few
hours. According to meteorologists at the National Weather Service, this qualif
ies as a 1-in-1,000 year event for the region. Rainfall totals included 9.37 in
(23.8 cm) in Maxwelton and 7.53 in (19.1 cm) in Rainelle.[4] Two-day accumulatio
ns in White Sulphur Springs reached 9.17 in (233 mm).[5] In addition to the torr
ential rain, the storms produced an EF1 tornado near Kenna in Jackson County. Th
e brief tornado lifted and rolled a single-wide trailer, injuring its two occupa
nts; minor damage occurred elsewhere along its path.[6]
A black-and-white photo of several cars driving in opposite directions on a twolane road, causing large splashes of water in their wakes
Flooding in Bridgeport
The tremendous rainfall produced widespread and destructive flash floods in the
state. The Elk River rose to an all-time high of 33.37 ft (10.17 m), surpassing
the previous record of 32 ft (9.8 m) set in 1888.[7] Greenbrier County was the h
ardest-hit, with at least 15 deaths confirmed.[1] Greenbrier County Sheriff Jan
Cahill described the county as "complete chaos".[7] Flooding in White Sulphur Sp
rings destroyed many homes and swept some clean off their foundations.[8] One ho
me was videotaped floating down Howard's Creek while engulfed in flames.[7] The
town of Rainelle was especially hard hit, and was described as looking like "a w
ar zone".[9][10]
Many people lost everything, and some people lost their lives.... We re going to n
eed some real help. This is our Katrina.
Kanawha County Commission president Kent Carper[11]
In Kanawha County, heavy rains washed out a bridge leading to a shopping center
near Interstate 79 in Elkview, stranding approximately 500 people for nearly 24
hours.[12] A 47-year-old woman drowned near Clendenin when rising waters from Wi
lls Creek overcame her car. Despite numerous attempts, emergency responders were
unable to reach her before her vehicle was swept away. Three other deaths took
place near Clendenin, including a hospice patient who drowned after rescuers cou
ld not reach her home.[5] At least six people died in Kanawha County.[13]
A 4-year-old boy drowned in Ravenswood, Jackson County, after he was swept away
by a swollen creek;[8] the creek, normally only ankle-deep, had risen to 6 ft (1
.8 m) due to the rain.[14] An 8-year-old boy drowned in Big Wheeling Creek in Oh
io County.[15]
About 500 homes were severely damaged or destroyed in Roane County.[16] In Clay
County, the communities of Procious, Camp Creek and others were left in ruins.[1
7]
At least 60 roads were shut down, many of them swept away. Multiple bridges acro
ss the state were destroyed. In Nicholas County, the Cherry River flooded much o
f Richwood, forcing the evacuation of a nursing home.[7][4] Homes in low-lying a
reas of the county were flooded up to the roof.[11] Electric utilities reported
at one point that 500,000 customers were left without power from the floods.[8]
Record-high and near-record-high waters were reported along the Greenbrier River
at Hilldale (25.9 ft (7.9 m) over flood stage) and Ronceverte (23.3 ft (7.1 m)
over flood stage), as well as along the New River at Thurmond (19.3 ft (5.9 m) o
ver flood stage). Summersville Lake increased by 43.5 billion gallons between 8

am June 23 and noon June 24.[18]

On June 27, it was announced that two people in Greenbrier County who were swept
away in a camper and were presumed to be dead in the flooding were later found
alive.[19]
Aftermath[edit]
Flood deaths by county in West Virginia
County Deaths Ref.
Greenbrier
15
[1]
Kanawha
6
[13]
Jackson
1
[5]
Ohio
1
[5]
Total 23
[1]
The 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Virginia National Guard was deploy
ed following floods in neighboring Virginia.
In the wake of the floods, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a st
ate of emergency for 44 of the state's 55 counties.[7] He also ordered the deplo
yment of 400 members of the West Virginia National Guard. Search and rescue team
s were deployed across the state to assist stranded residents.[13] Numerous swif
t water and rooftop rescues were conducted.[8] A volunteer firefighter and other
residents of White Sulphur Springs used front-end loaders and other heavy machi
nery to move through debris-laden floodwaters during the overnight of June 23 24 t
o save 60 people.[14] On June 25, President Barack Obama declared West Virginia
a major disaster area, ordering aid to assist victims of the floods in Kanawha,
Greenbrier and Nicholas counties.[13]
As a precautionary measure, natural gas service was suspended for White Sulphur
Springs in Greenbrier County.[8]
In Fayette County, where there were reports of looters, the sheriff warned would
-be thieves that citizens were legally armed and ready to protect what they had
left.[20]
In unaffected parts of the state including Morgantown[21] and Martinsburg,[22] r
esidents collected items to donate to the flood-ravaged areas.
The 2016 Greenbrier Classic golf tournament, scheduled to start on July 7, was c
anceled due to the floods. The Greenbrier Resort, where the tournament is played
, was closed indefinitely,[13][23] though available rooms were offered free-of-c
harge to flood victims in need of shelter.[24] Training camp for the National Fo
otball League's New Orleans Saints is scheduled to begin at the Greenbrier on Ju
ly 28, and the status of the team's facilities is unknown.[25]
Flooding in Alleghany County, Virginia, prompted deployment of the Virginia Nati
onal Guard.[26]