WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – It has been eight years since the devastating 2016 flood in West Virginia.
On June 23, 2016, the lives of many West Virginia families changed forever.
On that day, multiple rounds of thunderstorms brought significant rainfall across West Virginia.
The heaviest precipitation occurred in the Central/Southeastern regions, where 24-hour totals exceeded 7 inches in places like Runa, WV in southwest Nicholas County.
The Gauley River near Craigsville (Nicholas County) surged to a record crest of 29.04′, surpassing the previous record by over three feet, due to flash flooding.
Tragically, these storms caused 23 fatalities statewide.
These thunderstorms were driven by a stationary front over the Ohio Valley Region, which sustained moisture transport and prolonged storm development over a localized area.
The resultant excessive rainfall over rugged terrain led to severe lowland flooding and raised river levels to flood stages.
Flooding downstream from areas with high rainfall, and prolonged effects in river basins receiving substantial precipitation, exacerbated the situation.
The storms also resulted in widespread tree damage and a few reports of hail, along with one confirmed EF-1 tornado in Jackson County around 5 AM on June 23rd.
Following the devastation, a State of Emergency was declared in 44 of West Virginia’s 55 counties, with 12 counties receiving a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Initial reports indicated half a million people without power, and thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed statewide, resulting in significant displacement and an estimated $1.2 billion in damages.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) released the following statement in remembrance of the tragedy.
“The 2016 floods impacted thousands of West Virginians, took 23 precious lives, destroyed schools, forced businesses to close, and left many families without homes. Eight years later, we continue to rebuild together. Out of this tragedy, we saw our West Virginia spirit come alive, and people from every corner of our state rushed to impacted areas to lend a helping hand,” Capito said.
“That is what West Virginia is all about, and that is what separates our state from anywhere else in the world. I ask that West Virginians keep this spirit alive and continue to display the compassion and resiliency that defines us.”
Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV) also released a statement recognizing the disaster.
“Every June 23rd, our hearts are heavy with the memory of the precious lives lost in the floods that ravaged southern West Virginia eight years ago. Gayle and I continue to pray for the families whose lives were forever changed by the loss of a loved one. While I am proud to have secured over $256 million above and beyond normal federal disaster funding to rebuild and make our communities more resilient to extreme weather, no amount of funding can replace what was lost that day,” Manchin said.
“In the aftermath of the flood, West Virginians showed our true colors by coming together—as only we can—to support one another. It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent such a strong, resilient state with amazing people who care for their communities and fellow West Virginians so deeply.”
