Crews find all 44 people unaccounted for after severe flooding in southwest Virginia
WHITEWOOD, Va. – Officials said Thursday that 44 people unaccounted for following major flooding that damaged more than 100 homes in southwest Virginia have been located.
Heavy rainfall Tuesday caused the flooding, which prompted Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday. Several small communities in the area, which border West Virginia and Kentucky, were impacted by the floodwaters, according to the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.
Update 12:25 p.m. EDT July 14: At a news conference, Chief Deputy Eric Breeding of the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that authorities had located the last of 44 people who were unaccounted for following the flooding.
“Today we are happy to report that zero people are unaccounted for in the impact area,” he said Thursday. “Crews were out all night last night, and there were five crews out this morning, reaching to those in the flooded area that were reported missing on our hotline yesterday, and they were all located.”
He added that no fatalities were reported due to the flooding.
Update 9:20 a.m. EDT July 14: Officials with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office told WFXR that 17 people remained unaccounted for Thursday morning following severe flooding in the area.
Earlier, authorities said loved ones were unable to account for 44 people, but officials stressed that the individuals were not considered missing.
“It means we are attempting to reach and locate the person and check on their wellbeing,” deputies said in a post on social media.
No fatalities have been reported, according to officials.
Original report: There are no confirmed deaths or injuries, authorities said Wednesday. Crews said that many of the missing people are due to loved ones having difficulty contacting family members they believe are still in the area, WDBJ-TV reported. Lack of telephone service is hampering efforts to contact residents, according to the television station.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are in trouble or in danger,” Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Breeding said at a news conference on Wednesday. “They’re just letting us know that we need to check on these people.”
“We are deeply saddened to learn that another flood has impacted a community still recovering from last year’s flood,” Youngkin said in a statement. “In the wake of the devastation, I want Virginians in Buchanan County to know that we are making every resource available to help those impacted by this storm.”
According to the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, the flooding is concentrated in the Dismal River Road area of the county. Other areas affected included Patterson, Hale Creek, Pilgrim’s Knob, Whitewood and Jewell Valley, WSET-TV reported.
“A lot of roadways are blocked by landslides,” Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Bill Chrimes said. “Bridges are washed out. It’s going to take time to get that access restored, make contact with everyone and make sure their basic needs are taken care of.”
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The number of missing people was expected to decrease as water rescue teams continued to search the area, The Associated Press reported.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith said that he was “committed to helping” the people affected by the flooding.
“My office and I have been monitoring the aftermath of this disaster,” Griffith said in a statement. “While in Washington for votes, I have spoken with Gov. Youngkin about the situation, and I have staff at the scene. I will continue to advocate for a response that meets the needs of the area. My heart is with the people of the county and the first responders on the ground.”
A truck sits on the edge over a river, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., after being swept away in a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
A house that was moved off of its foundation following a flash flood rests on top of a vehicle, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Chairs and pews sink down in mud inside Baptist Bible Church, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
A house that was moved off of its foundation rests among debris and mud, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Debris builds up against a bridge, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
A wooden deck rests on top of a vehicle, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Gage Stanley, 3, jumps over a hole in his destroyed bedroom, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood.
Danny Byrd loads donated supplies into his car at Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Oakwood, Va., following a flash flood.
Courtney Cole, who has family in the area, walks down a washed out section of Dismal River Road, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Rachel Stanley lowers her son, Aiden, 5, from what used be his room but is now destroyed, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood.
Damaged vehicles rest under debris, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Jessie Stanley, middle, talks to his father-in-law, Doug Whitt, outside of Stanley’s home, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va. The home, owned by Whitt, was destroyed in a flash flood.
Volunteer Cody Dales prepares donated flashlights in the auditorium of Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Oakwood, Va., following a flash flood. The school is being used as an emergency shelter and reunification center to those affected. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
A driveway to a house sits collapsed in a river, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Gage Stanley, 3, walks through his destroyed house, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood.
Gage Stanley, 3, left, and Aiden, 5, dig holes in the mud outside of their destroyed home, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood.
Water and mud build up in the parking lot of the Whitewood Community Center,, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Rachel Stanley, left, shows her destroyed home to friends and family, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood.
A truck sits on the edge over a river, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., after being swept away in a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday’s floodwaters.
Volunteer Adam Keen loads donated supplies into an affected person’s truck at Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Oakwood, Va., following a flash flood.
