Weston, WV was cut off early Wednesday after flooding closed Interstate 79 and forced emergency response across Lewis, Randolph and Upshur counties. The National Weather Service had issued a Flash Flood Emergency after more than 7 inches of rain fell in parts of north-central West Virginia.
Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency across all 55 counties late Tuesday and said 100 National Guard members would arrive across the affected counties overnight Tuesday. The National Weather Service said the Flash Flood Emergency lasted until 10:30 p.m. ET and covered life-threatening flooding in Lewis, Randolph and Upshur counties.
Weston and Interstate 79
Interstate 79 remained closed in the Weston area early Wednesday, leaving one of the region’s main routes unavailable while water was still standing in low-lying areas. The closure came after severe storms swept across West Virginia and triggered widespread flash flooding across the state.
More than 7 inches of rain fell in Upshur County in roughly 6 hours beginning Tuesday afternoon, a pace that quickly overwhelmed roads and drainage systems. First responders received hundreds of calls for assistance after the Flash Flood Emergency, while the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources carried out at least 33 water rescues Tuesday.
Patrick Morrisey in Lewis County
Morrisey’s emergency declaration gave state agencies authority to support local response in the counties hit hardest by the flooding. Officials in Lewis County later declared a local state of emergency after flooding damaged public infrastructure, private property, roads, bridges, culverts, utilities and other critical facilities.
Residents in parts of the City of Buckhannon were told to leave early Wednesday after an Immediate Evacuation Order was issued, adding another layer to the response as water kept moving through the region. No deaths or serious injuries had been reported, even as the flooding was described as catastrophic and life-threatening.
The next practical question for drivers and residents is how long Interstate 79 and other flooded areas stay closed while crews clear water and assess damage across the affected counties.
