Two people have died in flash floods triggered by torrential rains in West Virginia, according to a statement from the governor's office on Thursday.
Details regarding the specific locations or circumstances of the deaths were not immediately provided, and the identities of the victims have not been released. These are the first confirmed fatalities resulting from the severe weather that began Tuesday, which saw some areas receive up to 7 inches of rain. Officials reported that certain locations experienced 4.5 inches of rainfall in just 37 minutes, leading to extensive devastation, particularly in north-central West Virginia.
Images and videos circulating on social media depicted submerged vehicles in parking lots, including at a Walmart in Weston, where muddy water inundated the store. A nearby hotel's ground floor was also flooded. Emergency responders conducted dozens of rescues for individuals trapped in vehicles across the region, with floodwaters initially hindering access to some affected areas.
