2 dead in flash floods caused by heavy rain in West Virginia

Two people have died in flash floods caused by torrential rains in West Virginia this week, the governor’s office said. An emailed statement from Lars Dalseide, communications director for Gov Patrick Morrisey, did not provide details on where the bodies were found or how the people died. Their identities were not immediately released. They are the first confirmed deaths from Tuesday’s floods, when forecasters said up to 7 inches (18 centimetres) of rain fell. Morrisey said some places received 4.5 inches (11.4 centimetres) in 37 minutes. Officials in north-central West Virginia have described the devastation as extensive.

Video and photos on social media showed submerged vehicles in parking lots, including at a Walmart in Weston where muddy water surged into the store. Across a nearby highway, a hotel’s main floor was inundated. Dozens of people stuck in submerged vehicles throughout the region had to be rescued, and floodwaters initially cut off access to them in some areas.