This morning at a press conference three deaths were mentioned as having occurred during the flooding and related to the flooding. Below is more information on those deaths.
On June 23, 2016 at 4:28 p.m. a 911 call was received from a woman trapped in her SUV in water along Wills Creek near Clendenin, WV. She described the water coming into her vehicle as she stayed on the phone with a 911 operator. Thirteen minutes later she reported the water was halfway over the windshield. First responders were unable to traverse Wills Creek Road and tried to access her location from I-79 and other directions. The call disconnected at 4:57 p.m. as the operator heard screaming and commotion. First responders later located the vehicle and the body of 47 year old Melissa Hess.
On June 23, 2016 at around 8:30 p.m. the body of a drowning victim was found and reported to Metro 911. The male is believed to belong to a 64 year old. His body was found along Jordan Creek Road. That body was later recovered, but Deputy Sheriffs are not certain his family has been notified of his death, and his name will be withheld.
The third death referenced involved a hospice patient. Responders were initially unable to reach her residence due to flood waters. Since that death is not directly related to flooding the name of the deceased will not be released.
First responders are still working tirelessly to save those stranded, treat those injured, and get food and water to those trapped who can’t be evacuated. They are also responding to all other emergencies that arise and attempting to prevent more injuries by closing roadways.
More information on any additional deaths and recoveries will be released tomorrow morning. Metro 911 will continue to update road closures and reopenings every three hours beginning at 3:00 p.m. and continuing every three hours until the Emergency Operations Center closes.