2016 – June 23-24, Flash Flooding, esp. Greenbrier (15) and Kanawha (6) Counties, WV — 23

lornajarrettblanchard October 30, 2016

— 24 CBS/AP. “West Virginia gets federal aid after dozens die in sudden flood.” 6-26-2016.[1]

— >24 Weather Channel. “West Virginia Flooding Kills 24; Federal Disaster…” 6-25-2016.[2]

— 23 Blanchard tally of county breakouts below.

— 23 MetroNews. “Greenbrier sheriff says search for final flood victim will continue.” 7-5-2016.

— 23 WSAZ WV. “…18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016.[3]

Breakout of fatalities by county (when noted):

–15 Greenbrier County. WVMetroNews, Charleston, WV. “2 bodies recovered…” 7-2-2016.[4]

–16 Greenbrier Co. CBS/AP. “[WV] gets federal aid after dozens die…” 6-26-2016.[5]

–14 Greenbrier County (number of deaths confirmed by Sheriff Jan Cahill July 2.[6]

–12 Greenbrier Co. WSAZ, Huntington. “…18-of 20 flood victims…[WV]…” 6-30-2016.[7]

— 1 Caldwell area, Greenbrier River (female body recovered July 2 from this area).[8]

–15 Rainelle. CBS/AP. “[WV] gets federal aid after dozens die…” 6-26-2016.[9]

–1 June 24. Drowning; Denver Leslie Barker, 93, inside of his flooded home.[10]

— 1 White Sulphur Springs, June 26. Female died of burns from natural gas explosion.[11]

— 1 White Sulphur Springs area; Howard’s Creek, edge of Greenbrier Resort. Female.[12]

— 1 White Sulphur Springs. Missing, presumed drowned; female, 14.[13]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 15-24.[14]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; female, 45-64.[15]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 45-64.[16]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 45-64.[17]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; female, 65-74.[18]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 65-74.[19]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 65-74.[20]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; female, 75-84 years-old.[21]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 75-84 years-old.[22]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 85+ years-old.[23]

— 1 Locality not noted. Drowning; male, 85+ years-old.[24]

— 1 Jackson Co., Ravenswood, 23^rd. Drowning; boy, 4, fell in backyard stream, swept away.[25]

— 6 Kanawha County. Blanchard tally of locality breakouts below (5 direct, 1 indirect).

–1 Elkview, along Jordan Creek Road, June 23. Drowning; male (Bill Sanders), 62.[26]

–1 Elkview, along Jordan Creek Road, June 23. Drowning; male, 64.[27]

–2 Elkview, ~Little Sandy Creek, Riverview Way, along Elk Riv., June 23. Drowning; females.[28]

–1 Clendenin area, Wills Creek, June 23. Drowning; female, 47, washed away in SUV.[29]

–1 Clendenin area, June 24. Presumed drowning; male, found in basement.[30]

–1 Medical emergency; female hospice patient; responders unable to reach residence.[31]

— 1 Ohio County, Wheeling, June 23. Drowning; boy, 8.[32]

Narrative Information

June 24, CNN: “As heavy thunderstorms sent massive floods sweeping across West Virginia, at least 20 people died in the raging waters, state and federal officials said Friday. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced 14 deaths at a news conference early in the afternoon. A few hours later, Tim Rock of the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management told CNN the death toll was up to 20.

“Trees and power lines fell as heavy rains sent creeks and rivers out of their banks late Thursday and early Friday, leaving many stranded residents waiting to be rescued.

“Forty-four counties declared a state of emergency Thursday night, primarily in the southeastern part of West Virginia. Elkview, Clendenin and Frame have been hit the hardest by the flooding, officials said….

“At one point during the height of the storm, there were 64 active emergency calls in Kanawha County, according to county spokeswoman Brooke Hylbert.

“A 1,000-year flood.

“The high terrain along rivers in southeastern West Virginia are exacerbating the flooding, meteorologists said. Weather radar estimates show that more than 10 inches of rain have fallen in portions of Greenbrier County. There is a 1 in 1,000 chance of this type of rainfall happening in any given year, according to the National Weather Service. In Kanawha County, which includes the capital of Charleston, the Elkview River crested at 33.37 feet Friday morning, meteorologists said. The river rose more than 27 feet from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning, the highest crest since record-keeping began more than 125 years ago, according to the National Weather Service….” (CNN. “At least 20 dead in West Virginia flooding, governor says.” 6-24-2016.)

June 24, NBC News: “….In Clay County, northeast of Charleston, the Elk River rose to over 33 feet, breaking the previous record of 32 feet set in 1888….” (NBC News. “West Virginia Floods: 20 Killed, Including Toddler, as Thousands Left Without Power.” 6-24-2016, 9:29 PM.)

June 24, WCHS/WVAH: “A spokesperson for the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management says the death toll from the devastating floods is now at 23. We are told 15 people died in Greenbrier County, five people died in Kanawha County, one person died in Jackson County, one person died in Ohio County. At this time, it is unclear where the 23rd victim was from….

“[Governor] Tomblin said 66,000 West Virginians are without power, and gas was shut off in the town of White Sulphur Springs. The governor said there are 60 roads that are closed. He also said that a gravel road is being constructed on the back part of the Elkview Crossings Mall to assist in the rescue of 500 people who were stranded there.

“Currently, there are 17 shelters open in the state to provide help for residents who need it. A number of groups also are raising money to assist with flood relief efforts….” (WCHS/WVAH, Charleston, WV. “Death toll in West Virginia floods climbs to 23.” KEPRtv.com, 6-24-2016.

Sources

ABC News (Julia Jacobo). “Toddler Swept Away in West Virginia Flash Floods,” 6-23-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/rescue-efforts-underway-toddler-carried-off-west-virginia/story?id=40088062

Associated Press, Charleston, WV. “20 dead in West Virginia floods; search and rescue continues.” Times-Republican, Marshalltown, IA, 6-24-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/1200043/20-dead-in-West-Virginia-floods–search-and-rescue-continues.html?isap=1&nav=5014

Associated Press. “The Latest: Flooding Closes Historic Greenbrier Resort.” 6-24-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/latest-pastor-talks-boy-died-flooding-40108107

CBS/AP. “West Virginia gets federal aid after dozens die in sudden flood.” 6-26-2016. Accessed 6-26-2016 at: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/west-virginia-federal-aid-dozens-die-sudden-flood/

Charleston Gazette-Mail (Lydia Nuzum), WV. “Friends, family remember two Kanawha County flood victims.” 6-25-2016. Accessed 7-1-2016 at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/article/20160625/GZ01/160629692

Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV. Obituary, “Denver L. Barker.” 6-27-2016. Accessed 6-27-2016 at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/OBIT/20160627/denver-l-barker

CNN (Farida Fawzy and Jareen Imam). “At least 20 dead in West Virginia flooding, governor says.” 6-24-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/24/us/west-virginia-flooding-deaths/

CNN (Amy La Porte). “Toddler missing, swept away by floodwaters in West Virginia,” 6-24-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/23/us/toddler-swept-away/index.html

CNN (Steve Visser and Martin Savidge). “West Virginia floods devastate 1,200 homes, many lives.” 6-28-2016. Accessed 6-28-2016 at: http://www.kerngoldenempire.com/news/west-virginia-floods-devastate-1100-homes-many-lives

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 24, 2016: Information on Flood Related Deaths.” 6-24-2016. Accessed 6-25-2016 at: http://www.kanawhasheriff.us/2016/06/24/june-24-2016-information-on-flood-related-deaths/

Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 25, 2016: Three More Deaths Yesterday Evening.” 6-25-2016. Accessed 6-25-2016 at: http://www.kanawhasheriff.us/2016/06/25/june-25-2016-three-more-deaths-yesterday-evening/

MetroNews (Jeff Jenkins) Charleston, WV. “Greenbrier sheriff says search for final flood victim will continue.” 7-5-2016. Accessed 7-6-2016 at: http://wvmetronews.com/2016/07/05/greenbrier-sheriff-says-search-for-final-flood-victim-will-continue/

NBC News (Erik Ortiz, et al.). “West Virginia Floods: 20 Killed, Including Toddler, as Thousands Left Without Power.” 6-24-2016, 9:29 PM. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/west-virginia-floods-14-killed-thousands-without-power-n598346

News Leader, Staunton, VA. “V. Va. flooding: Armed patrols formed as wary residents eye more rain.” 6-27-2016. Accessed 6-27-2016 at: http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2016/06/24/flooding-severe-along-virginia-w-virginia-border/86327846/

Register-Herald (Tina Alvey), Beckley, WV. “Body recovered near Caldwell believed to be Renick woman.” 7-3-2016. Accessed 7-3-2016 at: http://www.register-herald.com/news/body-recovered-near-caldwell-believed-to-be-renick-woman/article_fb8f2d46-412d-11e6-9e90-ab04e27bfc70.html

Weather Channel (Ada Carr). “West Virginia Flooding Kills 24; Federal Disaster Declared.” 6-25-2016. Accessed 6-25-2016 at: https://weather.com/news/news/west-virginia-flooding-severe-weather-outbreak-news-impacts

WCHS/WVAH (Jeffrey Morris) Charleston, WV. “Death toll in West Virginia floods climbs to 23; Tomblin updates flood relief efforts.” KEPRtv.com, 6-24-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://keprtv.com/news/nation-world/death-toll-in-west-virginia-floods-climbs-to-14-tomblin-updates-flood-relief-efforts

West Virginia MetroNews (Jeff Jenkins), Charleston, WV. “2 bodies recovered in flood-ravaged Greenbrier County.” 7-2-2016. Accessed 7-3-2016 at: http://wvmetronews.com/2016/07/02/body-of-flood-victim-recovered-in-greenbrier-county/

WSAZ (Andrew Colegrove), Huntington, WV. “Flood victim remembered.” 6-28-2016. Accessed 7-1-2016 at: http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Flood-victim-remembered–384630721.html

WSAZ, Charleston and Huntington WV. “Flood victim swept away while unchaining dogs.” 6-28-2016. Accessed 7-1-2016 at: http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Flood-victim-swept-away-while-unchaining-dogs–384779631.html

WSAZ, Huntington, WV. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in West Virginia died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Accessed 7-1-2016 at: http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Officials-18-of-20-flood-victims-in-West-Virginia-die-from-drowning–385033081.html

WSAZ, Charleston and Huntington, WV. “Update: Death toll at 24 in West Virginia flooding.” 6-25-2016. Accessed 6-26-2016 at: http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/At-least-one-fatality-due-to-flood-waters-in-Kanawha-County-384205701.html

WSET (Courtney Wheaton), Lynchburg, VA. “Local pastor loses family member in West Virginia flooding.” 6-26-2016. Accessed 6-27-2016 at: http://wset.com/news/local/local-pastor-loses-family-member-in-west-virginia-flooding

WTOV9, Steubenville, OH. “Update: Boy found in Big Wheeling Creek, declared dead,” 6-23-2016. Accessed 6-24-2016 at: http://wtov9.com/news/local/officials-searching-for-child-in-big-wheeling-creek

[1] Sixteen deaths in Greenbrier County, six in Kanawha County, and one each in Jackson and Ohio counties. However, it appears these numbers were based on missing, presumed dead, who turned up later. Thus, not used.

[2] It appears this figure was based on missing, presumed dead, but actually not. Thus, not used as high fatality figure.

[3] Cites WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources list of 20 fatalities. Notes that 3 of the 23 were “presumed dead.”

[4] Also: MetroNews, Charleston, WV. “Greenbrier sheriff says search for final flood victim will continue.” 7-5-2016.

[5] Notes 15 of the 16 deaths were in the town of Rainelle. We highlight to note not used as fatality count in that we have reason to think it inaccurate.

[6] Register-Herald, Beckley, WV. “Body recovered near Caldwell believed to be Renick woman.” 7-3-2016.

[7] Cites WV DHHR list of 20 recovered bodies. Three others were missing, presumed dead – localities not noted.

[8] West Virginia MetroNews (Jeff Jenkins), Charleston, WV. “2 bodies recovered in flood-ravaged Greenbrier County.” 7-2-2016. Article notes only that the body was recovered near Caldwell. Another article writes that “it is likely that the body is that of a woman reported missing during the flood from her home on Leonard-Cordova Road” according to the Sheriff. The article continues that “The body was found more than 30 miles from where the missing woman is believed to have fallen victim to the flood, according to the sheriff. He said the woman’s home is around 8 ½ miles up Leonard-Cordova from Renick, making it about 18 miles from the river and another 15 miles to Caldwell, where the body was located.” (Register-Herald, Beckley, WV. “Body recovered near Caldwell believed to be Renick woman.” 7-3-2016.)

[9] We highlight to note not used as fatality count in that we have reason to think in inaccurate.

[10] Charleston Gazette-Mail, WV. Obituary, “Denver L. Barker.” 6-27-2016; WSET (Courtney Wheaton), Lynchburg, VA. “Local pastor loses family member in West Virginia flooding.” 6-26-2016.

[11] CNN (Steve Visser and Martin Savidge). “West Virginia floods devastate 1,200 homes, many lives.” 6-28-2016. Identifies victim as Belinda Scott, a grandmother, and writes: “The flood uprooted Scott’s house, which exploded after it filled with natural gas. Scott tried to escape the water and flames by climbing a tree…Scott’s house stayed put, but she couldn’t get far enough from the fire….By the time rescuers reached…[her] last Thursday [June 23], the older woman had burns over 60% of her body. She died three days later in the hospital.” A late-June WV DHHR list of fatalities notes: “A 45-64 year-old woman died from complications from injuries she received in the flooding in Greenbrier County.” (WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016.)

[12] WV MetroNews, Charleston, WV. “2 bodies recovered in flood-ravaged Greenbrier County.” 7-2-2016. Notes the body was recovered on July 2.

[13] MetroNews (Jeff Jenkins) Charleston, WV. “Greenbrier sheriff says search for final flood victim will continue.” 7-5-2016. Article notes that the victim was believed to be Mykala Phillips, who “was with two brothers and her father in their Mill Hill Drive home in White Sulphur Springs when they tied extension cords together as the water rushed in. Her cord broke and she went rushing down the water in the opposite direction of her family members who were all rescued.”

[14] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[15] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[16] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[17] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[18] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[19] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[20] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[21] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[22] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[23] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

[24] WSAZ. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. Cites WV DHHR.

We do not include in our tally in that we believe one of the two 85+ year-old male deaths noted by the WV DHHR. refers to the drowning death of Denver Leslie Barker, 93, outside is flooded home in Rainelle, Greenbrier County.

[25] ABC News (Julia Jacobo). “Toddler Swept Away in West Virginia Flash Floods,” 6-23-2016; CNN (Farida Fawzy and Jareen Imam). “At least 20 dead in West Virginia flooding, governor says.” 6-24-2016; CNN (Amy La Porte). “Toddler missing, swept away by floodwaters in West Virginia,” 6-24-2016. ABC News article notes the home was on Utah Road, outside of Ravenswood, and that the boy was reported as being swept away at 4:25 p.m. NBC News identified the boy as Edward McMillion. (NBC News (Erik Ortiz, et al.). “West Virginia Floods: 20 Killed, Including Toddler, as Thousands Left Without Power.” 6-24-2016, 9:29 PM.) Included in WV DHHR list of fatalities in: WSAZ, Huntington, WV. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in [WV] died from drowning,” 6-30-2016.

[26] WSAZ, Huntington WV. “Flood victim swept away while unchaining dogs.” 6-28-2016. WSAZ, Huntington, WV. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in West Virginia died from drowning,” 6-30-2016. (Cites WV Dept. of HHR.)

[27] Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 24, 2016: Information on Flood Related Deaths.” 6-24-2016. Locality noted as Elkview by WSAZ, Charleston, WV. “Update: Death toll at 24 in West Virginia flooding.” 6-25-2016. We highlight to indicate that this could be the death of a 64-year-old Bill Sanders, noted as a fatality by the WV DHHR.

[28] Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 25, 2016: Three More Deaths Yesterday Evening.” 6-25-2016. The WV HHR noted the drowning death in Kanawha County of a female in the 15-24 year-old age bracket of their protocol. Also noted on this list is the death of Joni Adams, from asphyxiation (drowning). Another source writes that Joni Adams, 60, and Sandy Boswell, 57, drowned June 23 in the basement of the Adams home on Riverview Way in Big Chimney, while trying to save family heirlooms and other belongings. (Charleston Gazette-Mail (Lydia Nuzum), WV. “Friends, family remember two Kanawha County flood victims.” 6-25-2016.) Another source notes that Joni Adams’ neighbors on Riverview Way in Elkview attributed to her the saving of the lives of two elderly residents when Adams called their son and alerted him to the rising water, thus alerting him to go to their rescue. (WSAZ (Andrew Colegrove), Huntington, WV, “Flood victim remembered.” 6-28-2016.) We consulted Google Maps and found Riverview Way on the north side of Elk River across from Elk View. To the west of Riverview Way, draining into Elk River, is Little Sandy Creek.

[29] Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 24, 2016: Information on Flood Related Deaths.” 6-24-2016. Identifies victim as Melissa Hess. Noted as well on WV DHHR list of fatalities in WSAZ, Huntington, WV. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in West Virginia died from drowning,” 6-30-2016.

[30] Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 25, 2016: Three More Deaths Yesterday Evening.” 6-25-2016. Notes “The caller speculated the man may have been electrocuted, and though that speculation was broadcast on radio frequencies it was not confirmed by first responders.” Notes that the death was a presumed drowning. This could be reference to the drowning death noted on the VW DHHR list of fatalities – that of a male, 65-74 age-range, noted in: WSAZ, Huntington, WV. “Officials: 18-of 20 flood victims in West Virginia died from drowning,” 6-30-2016.

[31] Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. “June 24, 2016: Information on Flood Related Deaths.” 6-24-2016. Written: “Responders were initially unable to reach her residence due to flood waters. Since that death is not directly related to flooding the name of the deceased will not be released.”

[32] AP. “The Latest: Flooding Closes Historic Greenbrier Resort.” 6-24-2016; WTOV9, Steubenville, OH. “Update: Boy found in Big Wheeling Creek, declared dead,” 6-23-2016. WTOV9 article identifies the victim as Emanual Williams “who fell in Big Wheeling Creek in the Elm Grove area behind AutoZone and Main Street Bank around 3:20 p.m. According to police, Emanual Williams was walking with his mother and sister along the creek bank and slipped. His mother tried to save him but couldn’t. The area he fell was 20 feet deep.” Another AP report writes that “Local officials in Ohio County said the death of [the boy]…was not due to flooding but was an accidental drowning. The area around Wheeling had no flooding and no severe weather said Wheeling Police Sgt. William Nolan. The death was among those counted by the state medical examiner, the governor’s office said.” (AP. “20 dead in West Virginia floods; search and rescue continues.” Times-Republican, IA, 6-24-2016.) Another source writes: “Eight-year-old Emanual Williams died Thursday at a West Virginia hospital after he slipped into a creek and was swept away by raging waters.” (Weather Channel (Ada Carr). “West Virginia Flooding Kills 24; Federal Disaster Declared.” 6-25-2016.)