Story perspectives

WV Gov. Declares Emergency, Deploys 500 Guard Amid Floods

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for West Virginia’s 55 counties and sent 500 National Guard members after flash floods.
The floods washed out bridges and closed Interstate 79, U.S. Route 48, and secondary roads.
More than 100 people were rescued and dozens were pulled from submerged vehicles.
The storm system spawned at least 14 tornadoes across six states and kept flood warnings until flash-flood alerts ended Wednesday morning.

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Story summary

Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency for West Virginia’s 55 counties and sent 500 National Guard members after flash floods.
The floods washed out bridges and closed Interstate 79, U.S. Route 48, and secondary roads.
More than 100 people were rescued and dozens were pulled from submerged vehicles.
The storm system spawned at least 14 tornadoes across six states and kept flood warnings until flash-flood alerts ended Wednesday morning.