44 People Found Following Flash Flooding in Southwest Virginia

Mar. 15, 2025

More than 40 missing residents have been found after severe storms damaged or destroyed over 100 homes in southwest Virginia.

From Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, heavy rain fell across Buchanan County in the southwestern part of the state, the Virginia Office of Emergency Management said in astatement.

The rainfall caused flash flooding, landslides and power outages, damaging or destroying over 100 homes, perCBS News. Roads and bridges were also washed out in the extreme weather event, after an estimated six inches of rain fell within a few hours, according toCNN.

As of Wednesday night, the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office said that 44 people were “unaccounted for.”

WKYC Channel 3/YouTube

On Thursday morning, officials announced that all 44 of the missing residents have been found, according to CBS affiliateWDBJ.

On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office told PEOPLE that first responders are on the ground now, “providing relief for people and providing water and going door to door.”

“This was completely unexpected,” a spokesperson said, adding that more information will be released later today.

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Youngkin later declared a state of emergency to assist with response and recovery, the Virginia Office of Emergency Management said.

In the wake of the devastation, local resident Deana Kimbrough toldWCYBthat community members will carry each other through.

“This community here is coming together. We’re all treating each one as family, and we were saying no family is left behind,” she told the station.

source: people.com