CHARLESTON — Gov. Patrick Morrisey traveled to another West Virginia county under a state of emergency Monday after weekend storms dumped record-breaking rain, causing severe flash flooding and resulting in at least six deaths.

Morrisey traveled to Marion County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management headquarters in Fairmont Monday afternoon to provide an update in flood recovery in Marion and Ohio counties as additional rain is predicted through today.

“We’re watching the weather closely to see how it evolves today and the next few days because more rain is being forecast,” he said. “So, we’re going to urge everyone to pay close attention to the weather forecast.”

Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Marion County Sunday afternoon after previously declaring a state of emergency in Ohio County earlier Sunday following flash flooding that occurred in both counties Saturday.

According to the National Weather Service, between 2.5 and 4 inches of rain fell in Ohio County in 30 minutes beginning around 8 p.m. Saturday, affecting waterways around Wheeling, Triadelphia, and Valley Grove. Flash flooding sent creeks out of their banks, swept vehicles away, and damaged bridges, roads, and homes. 

Additional storms hit Marion County throughout Sunday afternoon, with approximately three inches of rain dropping throughout the day, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and roads.

“What we’re seeing in some of the areas across West Virginia, whether it was Ohio County or whether it was Marion County, is that you could have large areas where there’s some rain, but then in one concentrated area, it’s a torrential downpour and you’re seeing massive quantities of water dumped,” Morrisey said. “It’s just Mother Nature at its worst. And so, it’s not something that’s easy to foresee.”

By Monday, authorities reported the deaths of six individuals in Ohio County with two people still missing. Morrisey said the names of those who died in the weekend storms would not be released at this time. Morrisey said the first priority was to continue search and rescue operations, followed by clearing debris, restoring infrastructure, and providing aid to affected residents and businesses.

A state of emergency provides additional authority to the governor to respond to natural disasters, man-made incidents and other circumstances and remains in place until the governor rescinds the proclamation. A state of emergency can remain in place for at least 60 days unless rescinded by the governor and be extended by the Legislature with a concurrent resolution.

Officials with the state Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Transportation, and the West Virginia National Guard are on the ground in Ohio and Marion counties conducting damage assessments, working on debris cleanup, distributing supplies, and working with local emergency management officials. Officers with the Division of Natural Resources conducted multiple water rescues over the last two days in both counties.

Morrisey said that officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are on the ground providing assistance and conducting damage assessments. Residents with flood damage in Ohio and Marion counties were encouraged to fill out a damage survey online in order to provide state and federal emergency officials information needed to quickly receive FEMA public and individual assistance and funds.

“The information that we use to funnel help comes from all of you, and it goes to the emergency manager who puts it into a system, and it calls for that help,” said interim Department of Homeland Security Secretary Doug Buffington. “Everything I’ve learned about doing emergency management is it starts local.”