Latest news with #emergencyManagement
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
At Least 4 People Dead, Multiple Others Missing After Nearly 30-Minute Rainstorm Causes Devastation in West Virginia
At least four people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in West Virginia Multiple inches of rain reportedly fell in the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure "I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this," a local emergency management director saidFour people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in northern West Virginia. During a press conference on Sunday, June 15, Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed that at least four people were dead and at least four more had been reported missing after a rainstorm hit the area the night prior. 'This is a very difficult time for Ohio County and West Virginia,' Morrisey said during the broadcast, which was streamed online. CBS affiliate WTRF reported that 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure. The Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now taking part in rescue efforts to help find the missing people, as well as identify others who have not yet been reported missing, Gov. Morrisey said. Lou Vargo, the county's emergency management director, said at the press conference that two missing people were found after the flooding began on the evening of June 14. He added that 19 "swift water rescues" were also performed. Gov. Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in the county, and the National Guard may be asked to take part in recovery efforts, he said during the press conference. CBS News reported that cars were pulled into overflowing waterways, people climbed into trees for safety and one fire broke out during the flash flood on June 14. "It happened so quickly and so fast," Vargo said during the conference, adding, "I've been doing this for 35 years. I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this." "We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped," he continued. "During this time, we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways, where we couldn't respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage." Police spokesperson Phillip Stahl told WTRF that the flooding was also unlike anything he had seen in the area. 'The creeks rose pretty quickly,' Stahl explained. 'There was a massive amount of debris — debris that most people have never seen in their lives. But that was going down the creek. There were boats going down the creek sheds, furniture, gas tank, hot water tanks, conex boxes [shipping containers]. It was a pretty unbelievable sight to see.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Morrisey added during the press conference that damage assessments will begin on Monday, June 16. As of 2 p.m. on June, about 2,500 people were still without power, residents in the town of Apple Grove did not have access to water and more than a dozen bridges and roads were closed throughout the county. Ohio County EMA shared a list of resources for residents, including information about where to report missing persons, where to bring donations and where an emergency overnight shelter is located. 'My number one priority and that of everyone on our team, and those in the local community — it's to identify the missing individuals,' Gov. Morrisey said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
At Least 4 People Dead, Multiple Others Missing After Nearly 30-Minute Rainstorm Causes Devastation in West Virginia
At least four people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in West Virginia Multiple inches of rain reportedly fell in the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure "I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this," a local emergency management director saidFour people, including a 3-year-old child, are dead, and multiple others remain missing amid severe storms and flooding in northern West Virginia. During a press conference on Sunday, June 15, Gov. Patrick Morrisey confirmed that at least four people were dead and at least four more had been reported missing after a rainstorm hit the area the night prior. 'This is a very difficult time for Ohio County and West Virginia,' Morrisey said during the broadcast, which was streamed online. CBS affiliate WTRF reported that 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of the state's Ohio County in a nearly 30-minute time span, overwhelming local waterways and infrastructure. The Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), the Wheeling Police Department, the Ohio County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now taking part in rescue efforts to help find the missing people, as well as identify others who have not yet been reported missing, Gov. Morrisey said. Lou Vargo, the county's emergency management director, said at the press conference that two missing people were found after the flooding began on the evening of June 14. He added that 19 "swift water rescues" were also performed. Gov. Morrisey has declared a state of emergency in the county, and the National Guard may be asked to take part in recovery efforts, he said during the press conference. CBS News reported that cars were pulled into overflowing waterways, people climbed into trees for safety and one fire broke out during the flash flood on June 14. "It happened so quickly and so fast," Vargo said during the conference, adding, "I've been doing this for 35 years. I've seen major floods here in the city and the county. I've never seen anything like this." "We almost immediately started getting 911 calls for rescue of people being trapped," he continued. "During this time, we had major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and highways, where we couldn't respond to a lot of incidents. So we were delayed in getting there because there was just so much damage." Police spokesperson Phillip Stahl told WTRF that the flooding was also unlike anything he had seen in the area. 'The creeks rose pretty quickly,' Stahl explained. 'There was a massive amount of debris — debris that most people have never seen in their lives. But that was going down the creek. There were boats going down the creek sheds, furniture, gas tank, hot water tanks, conex boxes [shipping containers]. It was a pretty unbelievable sight to see.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Morrisey added during the press conference that damage assessments will begin on Monday, June 16. As of 2 p.m. on June, about 2,500 people were still without power, residents in the town of Apple Grove did not have access to water and more than a dozen bridges and roads were closed throughout the county. Ohio County EMA shared a list of resources for residents, including information about where to report missing persons, where to bring donations and where an emergency overnight shelter is located. 'My number one priority and that of everyone on our team, and those in the local community — it's to identify the missing individuals,' Gov. Morrisey said. Read the original article on People
CNN
6 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
At least 4 dead in West Virginia flooding as search continues for several missing
StormsFacebookTweetLink Follow Significant flooding in northern West Virginia overnight claimed the lives of at least four people, and more storms are still expected through Sunday night. Approximately 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell within about a half hour Saturday night in Ohio County, in the state's northern panhandle, between Ohio and Pennsylvania. The deaths occurred in Ohio County, where a state of emergency has been declared, according to a release from Morrisey's office. The declaration allows for more state resources, such as the National Guard, to assist in the county's rescue efforts. Authorities in the city of Wheeling, in Ohio County, are now in the midst of a search and rescue effort, state and local officials said in a news conference Sunday. 'Right now we can report to you that we have four confirmed deaths but there are four people missing,' West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said. Evacuations and water rescues were underway about two hours to the south in Marion County, according to the National Weather Service. 'More storms are expected in the region today,' Morrisey said. 'Please follow all directives from local and state emergency management officials and do not attempt to drive through flooded roads,' he added. Parts of Ohio County 'have major infrastructure damage to roads, bridges and highways,' delaying search and rescue efforts, said Lou Vargo, Director Wheeling-Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Displaced individuals and families can seek shelter at Elm Grove Elementary in Wheeling, Vargo said. At least 12 people showed up to the school last night, he added. Resources were 'quickly overwhelmed' Saturday, according to Wheeling Fire Department Chief Jim Blazier. But 'this morning, we regrouped,' Blazier said noting that conditions have improved. 'We're searching the banks, submerged vehicles, any debris that we find along the trail and so forth,' he said.
New York Times
13-06-2025
- General
- New York Times
How to Survive a Crisis
Lucy Easthope describes herself as 'the last responder.' When disaster strikes, emergency workers rush in to deliver aid. But Dr. Easthope, a visiting professor of mass fatalities and pandemics at the University of Bath in England, tells me that her specialty is what comes after. She has spent 24 years helping people recover from catastrophes like the Sept. 11 attacks, the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and the London subway bombings in 2005. Her many tasks include working in the rubble retrieving remains and personal effects, advising on cleanup and reconstruction, and helping stricken communities mend. In her upcoming book, 'Come What May: Life-Changing Lessons for Coping With Crisis,' Dr. Easthope writes about what a life in emergency management has taught her about weathering difficult times. She shared her insights on how to deal with everyday loss and calamities like death, a bad diagnosis, divorce or being fired. When she arrives on the scene of a disaster, the first thing Dr. Easthope does is write down every single thing that has happened, no matter how small: the collapsed bridge, but also the destroyed community garden. This is called an impact assessment. When something bad happens, she said, we can all benefit from making our own impact assessment. Write down everything that's affected by the event, whether it's physical, psychological or logistical, she said. This can help you understand what you have been through, how it is affecting you in all realms of your life and what is or isn't fixable. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The huge, amphibious plane China will use to modernise its military
China has approved mass production of the AG600 Kunlong, the world's largest amphibious aircraft, paving its way for commercial use. Developed as part of China's military modernisation, the AG600 is designed for marine rescues and battling forest fires, with a range of 4,500km and the ability to land in 2m waves. The AG600 can carry 50 people for maritime search-and-rescue or scoop 12 metric tonnes of water in 20 seconds for firefighting. The state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China sees the approval as a milestone towards a more advanced aviation sector and stronger independent building capabilities. Following successful test flights, including a 12-tonne water drop, the AG600 is expected to significantly improve forest fire rescue efficiency, according to emergency management officials.
