Devastating flooding in southwest Virginia has left about 40 people missing and more than 100 homes damaged.
A severe storm with flash flooding hit several parts of the state on Tuesday evening, mainly affecting the Dismal River area.
The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post said 44 people were missing, which doesn’t necessarily mean they are missing, but rather that they were not found or reached in welfare checks.
No deaths were confirmed on Wednesday afternoon.
Search and rescue efforts continue, authorities said.
The water level apparently reached 11-and-a-half feet, prompting Governor Glenn Youngkin to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday.
“I want Virginians in Buchanan County to know that we are putting every resource available to help those affected by this storm,” said Youngkin.
“As we continue to assess the situation, I would like to thank our first responders and the personnel on the ground for helping us with our ongoing operations.”
Many homes were without power when temperatures in the region reached 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
Buchanan County, which sits on the border of Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky, has seen between four and six inches of rain during the night. About 10 miles sustained damage with a downstream area seeing the most destruction.
Virginia Department of Emergency Management officials said it was likely more than 100 homes were damaged, but did not know the exact number. Some houses were knocked off their foundations, found up to 300 meters from their foundations.
The storm also tore parts of roads and made some bridges unsafe to cross.
The agency’s search and rescue specialist, Billy Chrimes, said landslides and road conditions made it challenging for 18 search and rescue teams responding to the flooding.
A center for family reunification and reception was set up at a primary and secondary school.
“We ask everyone to pray for this area,” Breeding says. “Please pray for those affected by this flood.”
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