Welch, W.Va. (WOAY) — McDowell County, West Virginia, is facing a severe natural disaster as flooding has devastated the area. At least one fatality has been confirmed, and there are still people unaccounted for. The Tug Fork River reached historic levels, and rainfall compounded on the flooding with over a month’s worth of rain in just two days. Lives, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure have been severely impacted.
Over the weekend, relentless rainfall turned roads into rivers, trapping residents and destroying property. In Welch, floodwaters surged through the town much of Saturday and into the evening. Vehicles were overturned, roads and sidewalks were caked in thick mud, and countless businesses and homes fell victim to the floodwaters.
“[It was] carnage to be honest with you. Some people lost everything. Some people lost their lives. It’s horrible, and I don’t know what to say. It actually tugs my heart talking about it.” Sheriff James Muncy Jr. said on Sunday.
Waterlogged streets, collapsed embankments, and desperate rescue efforts paint a forbidding picture of the situation and show the scale of the devastation.
“Every area in McDowell County has been affected, and some completely devastated from the effects of this storm, with the rain, the flash flooding. Crews are out and have been since yesterday in every community assessing. People are on foot now from the sheriff’s department and fire department, walking through communities, through the mountains, trying to get to people.” McDowell County Commission President Michael Brooks said in an interview on Sunday.
Hobart Street in Welch is still closed except for essential operations as cleanup efforts continue.
Governor Patrick Morrisey was in Welch this afternoon to survey the damage. He confirmed that more supplies are on the way and that every swift water rescue team in the state was sent to assist McDowell County. This morning, sheriff deputies from Boone County and Jackson County traveled to McDowell County to help with emergency response efforts.
According to Commissioner Michael Brooks, the County Commission is delivering water to local fire departments. Residents needing shelter in McDowell County can go to South Side School, Iaeger Elementary, Mountain Valley High School, Houston Methodist Church, and Reclamation Church.
Water is available at several local fire departments, including Panther Fire Station and Yarsal Fire Department. The Children’s Home Society and the Five Loaves and Two Fishes Food Bank also have water available for those who need it.
With entire underpasses flooded and massive piles of debris building up, creating mini dams, emergency services have been working around the clock, sacrificing their safety, sleep, and well-being for the betterment of the community.
“Last night we were doing rescues; today we’re doing flood assessment, going up into the hollers and getting off the main roads, trying to get up there to see who needs help, especially working off the calls that we couldn’t get to last night. We’re trying to follow up with those,” Sheriff Muncy said.
Many residents remain out of reach for emergency services, complicating an already dire situation. First responders, exhausted yet determined, continue working with little rest.
“It started, what, about 4:00 or 5:00 [Saturday]? And it’s been nonstop since. We’ve been out ever since. I think I probably got 2 hours’ worth of sleep and my deputies are the same way.” Sheriff Muncy said.
Welch has already received nearly four inches of rain in two days, exceeding the average total rainfall for the entire month of February in previous years.
The Tug Fork River crested at 22.1 feet on Saturday around 10 PM, tying 2002 for the highest levels recorded in history. The rush of water left the streets of Welch caked in mud, flooded houses and businesses, and made countless roads impassable. The infrastructure damage has only compounded the issue of safe roadways.
“Department of Highways folks say we’ve got several roadways that are washed out underneath that you can’t even tell are dangerous until you’re there. We’re begging people, unless you’re trying to save somebody’s life or get to higher ground yourself, please stay off the road until we can get things opened up and assessed and not be an issue where you have to be rescued yourself and take away these efforts from people who really, really need help.” Commissioner Brooks said.
County officials are tirelessly working to secure additional resources from Charleston and Washington, D.C., but as the waiting continues, the need for assistance only grows.
“I’m sure, you know, we’ll receive them. But it’s devastating. I mean, from the loss of property, the loss of everything. And sadly, even lives, so it’s been a tough 24 hours,” Commissioner Brooks said.
Despite the damage, the resilience of McDowell County residents is undeniable.
“You know, we have some of the best people in the country here in McDowell County. And we’ve got folks that have basically—they’ve really placed themselves in harm’s way to try to look out for their neighbors and try to do all that we can,” Commissioner Brooks said.
McDowell County has experienced severe flooding in the past, including significant events in 2001 and 2002 that caused widespread damage.
Unless absolutely necessary, officials continue to urge people to stay off the roads to ensure their safety and allow first responders to do their jobs.
