Virginia floods leave 3 unaccounted for

Devastating floods damaged more than 100 homes and overwhelmed roads

A car sinks down into the ground on Thursday in Whitewood, Virginia after being swept away in a flash flood. All photos: AP

A water line marks the height of the flash flood as it swept past this church.

Chairs and pews sink down into mud inside the Baptist Bible Church.

The flood's destructive force swept away this wooden deck.

A vehicle sits precariously on a riverbank after being swept away by the flooding.

A house that was moved off of its foundation following a flash flood rests on top of a vehicle, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo / Michael Clubb)

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to help with rescue and recovery efforts.

As many as 18 search-and-rescue teams were sent to the area in and around Whitewood.

A collapsed bridge sits in the river.

Debris builds up against a bridge that is still standing.

A thick layer of mud that was left behind after the flash flood. AP

More than a dozen people in south-west Virginia remained unaccounted for on Thursday after authorities located almost all of the 44 people initially reported missing following devastating floods that washed out roads and damaged more than 100 homes.

Buchanan County Sheriff John McClanahan said that crews from state and local agencies worked throughout the night to locate and reunite residents with their loved ones.

Virginia State Police said local authorities are working to locate the remaining three people.

“This does not mean the person is missing, it means we are attempting to reach and locate the person and check on their well-being,” the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post on Wednesday night.

There were currently no reports of injuries or deaths.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that another flood has impacted a community still recovering from last year’s flood,” he said in a statement.”

In the wake of the devastation, I want Virginians in Buchanan County to know that we are making every resource available to help those impacted by this storm.”

First responders in Buchanan County began receiving reports of rising water and damage on Tuesday night.

Several small communities in the county that borders West Virginia and Kentucky were also affected.

Mr McClanahan said on Thursday that the floodwaters are receding and the county is working with Virginia Department of Transport crews to assess damage to homes and to remove debris and mud from the roadways to reopen them.