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West Virginia Flash Floods Leave Trail of Death Destruction and Heartbreak

Five lives lost including a toddler and three still missing as sudden downpours swamp towns in minutes.

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West Virginia Flash Floods 2025 Kill Five Leave Three Missing and Cause Widespread Damage
Emergency crews navigate submerged roads and battered homes after flash floods devastate northern West Virginia towns.

A devastating wave of flash floods turned parts of northern West Virginia into a nightmare over the weekend, claiming at least five lives — among them a 3-year-old child — while three residents remain missing and countless families grapple with unimaginable loss and damage. Officials say the freak flooding came after an intense downpour dumped up to four inches of rain in less than 30 minutes, overwhelming local streams and crumbling fragile infrastructure almost instantly.

According to local emergency crews, the hardest-hit areas include Wheeling, Ohio County, and small towns like Triadelphia and Valley Grove, where cars were swept off roads and entire roads and bridges vanished under muddy torrents. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who has declared a state of emergency in Ohio and Marion Counties, warned that more rain could worsen the already dire conditions. Speaking to reporters Sunday night, the governor pleaded with residents to stay off flooded roads and obey every warning from emergency management teams.


First responders described a chaotic scene as floodwaters rose at terrifying speeds, trapping people in cars and forcing others to cling to trees for survival. “We almost immediately started getting 911 calls,” said Lou Vargo, Ohio County’s emergency management director, who admitted that road destruction made rescue attempts painfully slow. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years… I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Heroic firefighters and swift-water rescue crews braved dangerous conditions throughout the night, managing to save at least 19 people so far. Yet the search continues. Wheeling Fire Chief Jim Blazier said teams are using drones, search dogs and dive units to comb through submerged vehicles and debris-laden creek banks in hopes of finding the missing residents alive.

Complicating recovery efforts are widespread power outages — more than 2,500 customers were in the dark by Sunday afternoon — and dangerous gas leaks that must be contained before lines can be repaired and electricity restored. Meanwhile, nearly 100 miles away in Fairmont, torrential rain caused more rescues and forced residents from a partially collapsed apartment building to seek shelter at Fairmont State University.


Gov. Morrisey, working closely with FEMA and the National Guard, has promised every resource necessary to help affected families and rebuild battered communities. But as fresh storms threaten to roll through the region, he urged everyone to “pray for our friends and neighbors” and above all, stay off flooded roads that could become death traps within seconds.
Gov. Morrisey, working closely with FEMA and the National Guard, has promised every resource necessary to help affected families and rebuild battered communities. But as fresh storms threaten to roll through the region, he urged everyone to “pray for our friends and neighbors” and above all, stay off flooded roads that could become death traps within seconds.

West Virginians are no strangers to nature’s fury, but locals say this flash flood has been one of the most sudden and merciless in recent memory — a stark reminder that in this rugged state, when rain falls this hard, heartbreak often follows.

America

Governor Patrick Morrisey Leads West Virginia Through Tragedy After Deadly Flash Floods

The state’s top leader rallies rescue teams, declares emergency, and vows recovery as floods leave death and chaos behind.

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Governor Patrick Morrisey Guides West Virginia’s Flash Flood Recovery Efforts 2025
Governor Patrick Morrisey works with rescue teams and FEMA officials as West Virginia recovers from deadly flash floods.

In the wake of the sudden and deadly flash floods that ravaged parts of northern West Virginia this weekend, Governor Patrick Morrisey has stepped to the forefront as a steady hand in crisis. The unexpected deluge that claimed five lives — including a small child — and left three residents missing has forced the state’s leadership into high gear, with Morrisey personally coordinating emergency actions and delivering urgent messages to calm and protect his citizens.

According to local reports, within hours of the floodwaters swallowing roads and towns from Wheeling to Triadelphia, the Governor declared a state of emergency for Ohio and Marion Counties, activating the National Guard and directing every available resource to rescue and recovery missions. Speaking at back-to-back press briefings, West Virginia’s highest authority described the devastation as “unlike anything we’ve seen in years” and praised first responders for risking their lives amid collapsing bridges and raging creeks to save others.


Governor Morrisey’s presence has been felt not just behind podiums but on the ground, where he has held strategy sessions with FEMA officials, county emergency teams, and local law enforcement, ensuring that food, shelter, and medical care reach the hardest-hit families. His administration has also been working tirelessly to restore power to thousands left in the dark, while coordinating crews to fix natural gas leaks that pose further danger to flooded communities.

In a heartfelt statement shared widely on social media, Morrisey urged all West Virginians to avoid unnecessary travel and not to underestimate the power of flash floods — a warning that has already proven lifesaving as more rain threatens the recovering region. “Please keep this community in your prayers,” he wrote, asking neighbors statewide to check on one another and obey every directive from local authorities until roads and rivers are deemed safe.

Analysts say the Governor’s swift action and clear communication have drawn praise during this tragic natural disaster. It is the latest test in a tenure marked by tough stances on public safety and community resilience, themes that resonate deeply in this Appalachian state where rugged terrain and sudden weather shifts often collide with human lives.

For now, as search crews continue to comb creeks for the missing and families grieve loved ones lost to the unstoppable rush of water, Governor Patrick Morrisey remains at the center of West Virginia’s storm response — a determined figure promising not just immediate aid, but long-term support to rebuild stronger than before.

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Peru

President Dina Boluarte Takes Charge After Peru Earthquake Shakes Lima and Callao

Peru’s leader visits quake-hit Callao, pledges swift relief and safety measures as nation reels from Sunday’s tremor.

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President Dina Boluarte Leads Peru’s Earthquake Response 2025 with Relief Efforts in Callao
President Dina Boluarte meets Callao residents and emergency teams after Peru’s earthquake shakes the capital region.

In the wake of the powerful 5.6 magnitude earthquake that rattled Peru’s central coast on Sunday, President Dina Boluarte wasted no time stepping in to reassure an anxious nation and oversee critical emergency efforts. The leader, who has faced her share of political challenges since taking office, is now under the spotlight for her quick response and hands-on management of a crisis that left one person dead and at least five others injured.


Moments after news of the quake’s destruction spread across Lima and Callao, the Peruvian presidency confirmed that President Boluarte would travel immediately to the affected port city to monitor damage, coordinate local authorities, and meet families whose homes and businesses suffered structural losses. According to the President’s office, her priority is ensuring hospitals and emergency centers have the resources needed to treat the injured and secure fragile buildings from further collapses.

Footage aired by national media showed the President speaking directly with rescue workers and municipal leaders, promising that the government will fast-track damage assessments and financial aid to families most impacted by the tremor. Residents and local reporters noted that the visit brought a visible sense of urgency to Callao’s crowded streets, where cleanup crews and first responders continue to clear rubble and assess the safety of compromised structures.


Peru’s leader also addressed the nation through social media, urging calm while reminding citizens to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks — a common threat in a country perched precariously along the seismically active Ring of Fire. In her message, President Boluarte emphasized that her administration is working closely with the Geophysical Institute of Peru and international partners to monitor tectonic activity and ensure timely alerts for any further seismic movement.


This recent quake, which interrupted everything from Sunday mass at Lima’s cathedral to a professional football match at Alberto Gallardo Stadium, has reinforced public calls for better urban planning and more resilient infrastructure. Political analysts say how the President handles relief and reconstruction in the coming weeks could significantly shape public trust in her leadership.

Despite the fear and damage, many Peruvians have praised Boluarte’s visible presence at the epicenter of the crisis — a sign, they hope, that national unity and efficient governance will guide the country through this latest natural disaster. As aftershocks remain possible, all eyes are now on the President to deliver on her pledges and fortify Peru’s preparedness for whatever nature may throw next.

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Peru

Powerful Earthquake Rocks Peru’s Capital Leaving Death and Chaos in Its Wake

Lima and Callao jolted by a 5.6 magnitude tremor that tragically claims a life and injures several others.

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Powerful Earthquake in Peru 2025 Shakes Lima and Callao Leaving Casualties and Damage
Emergency crews and residents inspect damaged buildings after Peru’s strong earthquake jolts Lima and Callao.

A sudden earthquake off Peru’s central coast rattled millions on Sunday morning, shaking buildings across Lima and the bustling port city of Callao, leaving behind a trail of grief, damaged roads, and frightened residents. According to the United States Geological Survey, the tremor registered a magnitude of 5.6 and struck at 11:35 a.m. local time in the Pacific Ocean, with its epicenter just 23 kilometers southwest of Callao, dangerously close to the capital.

Tragedy struck when a 36-year-old man lost his life in northern Lima. Local police confirmed the victim was standing beside his vehicle, waiting for a passenger, when a wall from the fourth floor of a building under construction suddenly collapsed, fatally striking him. The unfortunate accident highlights the grim reality that even moderate quakes can unleash deadly surprises in densely populated urban areas.


Peru’s Emergency Operations Center reported five more citizens injured due to falling debris and structural collapses. All are currently receiving treatment in local hospitals, while authorities continue to assess damage across affected neighborhoods. Preliminary reports indicate that roads, homes, and several educational institutions have suffered visible cracks and partial destruction, fueling concerns about aftershocks and the safety of older buildings.


In response, Peru’s President Dina Boluarte has rushed to Callao to personally oversee rescue operations and evaluate the region’s urgent needs. On social media, the presidency urged calm but reminded residents to stay alert for possible aftershocks. Local footage aired on Peruvian television shows cars crushed by falling bricks, damaged homes, and billboards snapped in half by the seismic jolt.

The quake didn’t spare the country’s vibrant social life either — worshippers attending Sunday mass inside Lima’s historic cathedral fled in panic as the ground trembled beneath their feet. A professional football match at Lima’s Alberto Gallardo Stadium came to a sudden halt when the shaking forced players and fans alike to pause and seek safety.

Peru’s position along the notorious Ring of Fire means such quakes are not uncommon. This volatile belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean is infamous for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. While Peruvians are no strangers to tremors, Sunday’s quake serves as a fresh reminder of nature’s unpredictable force and the need for constant vigilance and stronger urban planning.

As rescue teams and engineers inspect buildings for structural integrity, many families across Lima and Callao are left picking up the pieces — and bracing themselves for whatever tremor may come next.

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