This weekend marks the 8th anniversary of one of West Virginiaβs darkest days: the June 2016 flood.
On June 23, 2016, training thunderstorms entered the state south of Parkersburg, cutting a diagonal path across West Virginia into Greenbrier County. The torrential rain quickly overwhelmed creeks and rivers, causing widespread flooding that devastated communities.
Within hours, thousands of homes and businesses were swept away. Communities like Clay, Clendenin, and Elkview along the Elk River were severely affected. Nicholas County, particularly areas around the Gauley and Cherry Rivers, saw homes, businesses, schools, and roads obliterated. The town of Richwood, along with other communities along the streams, suffered extensive damage. The storm exited the state after wreaking havoc on Greenbrier County, destroying hundreds of structures in Rainelle and White Sulphur Springs.
Tragically, the flood claimed 23 lives, with 15 of those victims in Greenbrier County.
The flood set records, with Runa in Nicholas County receiving 7 inches of rain in 24 hours. The Gauley River at Craigsville crested at a historic 29.04 feet, surpassing the previous record by three feet.
An estimated half a million people were initially left without power, and thousands of buildings across the state were damaged or destroyed, displacing many residents. The storm caused $1.2 billion in damage.
U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito issued statements on the flood’s anniversary.
βEvery June 23rd, our hearts are heavy with the memory of the precious lives lost in the floods that ravaged southern West Virginia eight years ago. Gayle and I continue to pray for the families whose lives were forever changed by the loss of a loved one. While I am proud to have secured over $256 million above and beyond normal federal disaster funding to rebuild and make our communities more resilient to extreme weather, no amount of funding can replace what was lost that day. In the aftermath of the flood, West Virginians showed our true colors by coming togetherβas only we canβto support one another. It has been the honor of my lifetime to represent such a strong, resilient state with amazing people who care for their communities and fellow West Virginians so deeply.β
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
βThe 2016 floods impacted thousands of West Virginians, took 23 precious lives, destroyed schools, forced businesses to close, and left many families without homes. Eight years later, we continue to rebuild together. Out of this tragedy, we saw our West Virginia spirit come alive, and people from every corner of our state rushed to impacted areas to lend a helping hand. That is what West Virginia is all about, and that is what separates our state from anywhere else in the world. I ask that West Virginians keep this spirit alive and continue to display the compassion and resiliency that defines us.β
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore-Capito
Among the damaged buildings were 25 West Virginia schools. Herbert Hoover High School, Clendenin Elementary, Richwood High School, Richwood Middle School, and Summersville Middle School were destroyed.
After eight years, only one new school has opened. Students at the new Herbert Hoover High School have just completed their first full year in the building. A new Clendenin Elementary is set to open this fall. In Nicholas County, however, recovery has been hampered by a range of issues including rising construction costs, supply chain disruptions from COVID-19, interest rates, and disagreements over the best solutions for replacing lost schools.
Most individuals who incurred losses have either rebuilt their homes, repaired damages, or made new living arrangements. Yet, the scars left by the historic flood will never be completely erased for those who lived through it.
Matt Pinner is a dedicated journalist for WVPrepBB.com, specializing in USA and crime news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, Matt brings timely and insightful reporting to his readers. His work on WVPrepBB.com keeps the community informed and engaged with the latest developments in national news and criminal justice.
