This incident in West Virginia follows severe flooding in San Antonio, Texas, earlier in the week, where 13 people died due to heavy rainfall.

Severe flash flooding in northern West Virginia has resulted in three confirmed fatalities and ongoing rescue operations for missing individuals as of June 15, 2025.

The flooding was triggered by heavy rainfall, with 2.5 to 4 inches falling in Wheeling and Ohio County within just 30 minutes on the evening of June 14.

Ohio County's emergency management director, Lou Vargo, noted that the rapid flooding caused significant infrastructure damage, which delayed rescue operations and led to a surge in 911 calls.

In response to the disaster, Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for Ohio County and mobilized state police and the National Guard to assist with recovery efforts.

Approximately 4,000 power outages were reported in the area, with restoration efforts complicated by natural gas leaks that needed immediate attention.

Rescue operations continued into the early hours of June 15, focusing on areas near the Ohio state line and Wheeling Creek, with teams utilizing drones and search dogs to locate missing persons.

First responders faced challenges as vehicles were swept away by floodwaters, and some individuals sought refuge in trees while a mobile home caught fire during the flooding.

As recovery efforts progress, search teams are employing drones, search dogs, and swift water personnel to locate missing individuals and assess flood debris.

Looking ahead, a slow-moving cold front is expected to bring additional rainfall to West Virginia and surrounding areas, raising concerns for further flooding.

Authorities are focused on assessing the damage and beginning recovery efforts, utilizing heavy equipment and drones in the affected areas.

The floods have caused significant damage to local infrastructure, exacerbating the crisis and complicating recovery efforts.