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National Guard Deploys Troops as West Virginia Flooding Breaks Rainfall Records
Specific figures on troop numbers, rainfall totals and countywide emergency measures outline the response to flooding across the state.
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How we reported this
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey sent 100 National Guard members to the hardest-hit areas, with an additional 200 expected to arrive by late Wednesday morning.
Rainfall Totals and Flood Warnings
Forecasters reported up to 7 inches of rain in some places. The National Weather Service warned of life-threatening flooding conditions in some communities as flash floods inundated homes and businesses, washed out bridges and triggered numerous water rescues across parts of West Virginia.
Emergency Scope Across 55 Counties
Morrisey declared a state of emergency for all 55 West Virginia counties while urging residents to stay at home because travel remained hazardous. These measures addressed widespread road disruptions that included closures on portions of Interstate 79 and U.S. Route 48 due to floodwaters.
Initial Safety Assessment
No deaths were immediately reported. The combination of rainfall amounts, troop deployments and the statewide emergency order shows the measured scale of the response to conditions that affected homes, businesses and transportation routes throughout the state.
Authorities described the flooding as rapid and widespread, with water rescues required in multiple locations. The deployment of the first 100 National Guard members focused on the hardest-hit areas, while the planned arrival of 200 more by late Wednesday morning added further capacity for ongoing operations.
The 7 inches of rain in affected spots contributed directly to the flash flooding that closed major routes and prompted the full 55-county emergency declaration. Travel advisories remained in place as officials assessed damage to bridges and roadways.
With the initial National Guard contingent already on site and additional members en route, state efforts centered on managing the immediate hazards from the reported rainfall and resulting water rescues. The absence of reported deaths at the time of initial assessments provided one early indicator amid the broader set of figures describing the event.