A vehicle sits in flood debris, Monday, June 16, 2025, in Valley Grove, W.Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey traveled to another West Virginia county under a state of emergency Monday after weekend storms dumped record-breaking rain, causing severe flash flooding and resulting in at least six deaths.

Morrisey traveled to Marion County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management headquarters in Fairmont Monday afternoon to provide an update on flood recovery in Marion and Ohio counties as additional rain is predicted through today.

“We’re watching the weather closely to see how it evolves today, and the next few days because more rain is being forecast,” Morrisey said. “So, we’re going to urge everyone to pay close attention to the weather forecast.”

Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Marion County on Sunday after previously declaring a state of emergency in Ohio County after flash flooding in both counties Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service, between 2.5 and 4 inches of rain fell in Ohio County in 30 minutes beginning around 8 p.m. Saturday, affecting waterways around Wheeling, Triadelphia and Valley Grove. Flash flooding sent creeks out of their banks, swept vehicles away, and damaged bridges, roads and homes.

Additional storms hit Marion County throughout Sunday afternoon, with approximately 3 inches of rain dropping throughout the day, causing significant damage to homes, businesses and roads.

“What we’re seeing in some of the areas across West Virginia, whether it was Ohio County or whether it was Marion County, is that you could have large areas where there’s some rain, but then in one concentrated area, it’s a torrential downpour and you’re seeing massive quantities of water dumped,” Morrisey said. “It’s just Mother Nature at its worst. And so, it’s not something that’s easy to foresee.”

By Monday, authorities reported the deaths of six individuals in Ohio County with two people still missing. Morrisey said the names of those who died in the weekend storms would not be released at this time. Morrisey said the first priority was to continue search and rescue operations, followed by clearing debris, restoring infrastructure and providing aid to affected residents and businesses.

Officials with the state Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation, and the West Virginia National Guard are on the ground in Ohio and Marion counties conducting damage assessments, working on debris cleanup, distributing supplies and working with local emergency management officials. Officers with the Division of Natural Resources also conducted multiple water rescues over the last two days in both counties.

Morrisey said that officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are on the ground providing assistance and conducting damage assessments. Residents with flood damage in Ohio and Marion counties are encouraged to fill out a damage survey online at emd.wv.gov/disastersurvey in order to provide state and federal emergency officials information needed to quickly receive FEMA public and individual assistance and funds.

“The information that we use to funnel help comes from all of you, and it goes to the emergency manager who puts it into a system, and it calls for that help,” said interim Department of Homeland Security Secretary Doug Buffington. “Everything I’ve learned about doing emergency management is that it starts local. And so, whether it be your politicians who are here in support and getting information to me or your emergency manager, citizens, mayors, county commissioners, get your information to your emergency manager.”

Members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation are also monitoring the situation and communicating with state and local officials. U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice issued a joint statement Monday afternoon.

“I have and will continue to closely monitor the situation, and remain in close contact with local and state officials to ensure every available resource is available and deployed as quickly as possible,” said Capito, R-W.Va. “I urge all West Virginians to remain cautious, and continue helping friends and neighbors in need. Although the recovery won’t happen overnight, West Virginia is strong, and we will rebuild — just as we always do.”

“I’ve been talking with our emergency folks on the ground, and we’re going to do everything in our power to get help where it’s needed,” said Justice, R-W.Va. “When West Virginia gets knocked down, we don’t stay down. We pull the rope together and we lift each other back up. That’s exactly what we’re going to do because these folks need all of us badly right now.”

This is the third major flood event to occur in West Virginia since Morrisey first took office as the state’s 37th governor in January. Between 3 and 5 inches of rain poured down on a 13-county region in the southern half of the state between Feb. 14 through Feb. 16, causing severe flooding and resulting in the death of two grandparents and one of their grandchildren. Another state of emergency was issued in May for Mineral County for significant flood damage.

The Legislature created a West Virginia Flood Resiliency Trust Fund within the State Resiliency and Flood Protection Act in 2023. The fund would be used to encourage local governments to work on flood protection and prevention projects. However, the Legislature has never appropriated money for the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund since its creation. An attempt by the House Democratic Caucus to appropriate $50 million for the fund in April failed.

Speaking Monday, Morrisey said he would talk with lawmakers about working on flood mitigation issues, including reviewing and implementing the state’s flood resiliency plan, which was last updated in 2024 after having not been reviewed since 2004.

“I know there’ll be additional discussions with the legislature and others about the importance of flood prevention,” Morrisey said. “I’m a believer in that and I want to make sure we’re learning from the past. I think that’s important.”