Flooding in the US state of West Virginia has claimed 23 lives and stranded many others. They had to be picked from rooftops and rescued from fast-moving waters, state officials said.
The dead included an eight-year-old boy who was swept away while walking along a creek bank with his mother and sister, local news station WSAZ reported. His body was found after three hours of searching.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin told the damage is widespread and devastating.
“The damage is widespread and devastating. Our focus remains on search and rescue,” Governor Earl Ray Tomblin told a news conference after floods caused by a day of heavy rains.
“I had planned to fly around the affected areas myself today but wasn’t able to, because all state aircrafts are currently being used for rescues,” he said.
At least six counties have extensive structural damage and about 66,000 people were without power, the governor said.
At least six counties have extensive structural damage and about 66,000 people were without power, the governor said.
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