Inside Appalachia: WV's 1,000 Year Flood

The National Weather Service called the June 2016 flooding in southern West Virginia an exceptional meteorological event, a vicious line-up of storms that came in simultaneously from the northeast and the southeast.
Almost 8 inches of rain fell in some spots in just 12 to 18 hours. That amount of rain in such a short time period is something expected once in 1,000 years, according to the NWS.
The area damaged in southern West Virginia is unprecedented.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting reporters fan out throughout southern West Virginia to assess the damage and examine recovery efforts. How can and should these already struggling communities rebuild? Was the state as prepared as it should have been? How do we help our children through the trauma?
WVPB brings you the stories of heroism and survival in towns like Richwood, Rainelle, White Sulphur Springs, and Clendenin.
Residents and community leaders share their stories of loss and resilience.
The program also examines the state's plan forward with conversations with Adjunct General, Major General James Hoyer of the WV National Guard, now Chief Recovery Coordinator, appointed by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

[@beserkergang]

I worked for the WVDOH bridge crew at the time. We worked 12+ hours a day, seven days a week. We checked every bridge in five counties, removed debris, stabilized unsafe structures, and looked for bodies. It felt unreal.

[@robertbelt5515]

It's a shame that none of the major news media reported on these floods, and the devastation they left behind, if there's a hurricane headed for a major city or any destination like the coast, they cover it for weeks on end, but when it happens to rural America it's only the independent journalists who get the whole story out, and that needs to change, we're all in this together, I loved the fact that Native Americans from 3,000 miles away came to help out.........

[@dalekundtz4603]

I agree with you Robert. News media these days only cover the major cities. You have to look to local papers or TV channels to get the real stories. Once the destruction in the major cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, are over, then everything is forgotten. That has been quite evident in 2020 with the coronavirus. Once the numbers dropped in NYC, it was over and our President wanted us to just get back to work. He does not know what it is like to struggle. Most people in the rural communities don't have insurance to cover the losses and rebuild. That will be seen now with the riots and looting and arson that are being caused by a minority of people, but the destruction will be felt by so many. God help us!

[@wmcbarker4155]

the winning votes are not found in rural America

[@ClaraBBrown]

I love the way our wva mountaineers look out each other it's a blessing ❤

[@-FLO--ut3kc]

West Virginia born and raised West Virginia 💙 proud

[@jeR-m]

YES. WV IS TATTED ON MY FACE. dedicated..lol ❤ much love fellow west virginian!

[@Rogue.Rider0]

Mingo county here.

[@jeR-m]

west side of Charleston here. kanawha county. 304.

[@tim1883]

@@jeR-m west side best side..stonewall!

[@jeR-m]

@@tim1883 stonewall 2 blocks from me pretty much.. deadmans alley!

[@larrybuckner8619]

I don’t know that gentleman singing but I love him. So genuine.....

[@carmen8673]

He really is. He was my pastor when I lived in Renick.

[@elisabethdakak878]

I am a French lady watching this Jessica Lilly's beautiful video from the state of Texas. My utmost respect to the West Virginian people. God bless you always.

[@billveder1071]

Jessica Lilly did an amazing, heart felt, sincere job narrating this documentary. John Wyatt wrote a genuine, memorable song about the 2016 super flood in West Virginia. Thank you both for your efforts and support during this time of despair. God Bless you both.

[@amandalaci8212]

I'll never ever forget that flood. That was absolutely insane and I hope none of us ever have to see anything like that again.

[@johndoe1909]

Amanda Laci unfortunately it's fairly likely you will. Climate is heating up quickly and with that comes more moisture in the air and with that more violent swings between drought and flood gets more and more likely.

[@MORKANDMINDY420]

​@johndoe1909 do you propose we should pay some politicians to fix it and hope they use the money for it?

[@joannelwatson5066]

My father's childhood home was on 13th Street in Rainelle, bordering on a creek. We watched in horror and disbelief from our home in Virginia, praying for our family there.

[@AlphaMom55]

I'm a Guatemalan born woman, Texas girl, stuck in SoCal but I have a great fondness for the Appalachian people and pray for an opportunity to go there to minister to the people and share the love of Christ. Bendiciones to all y'all. 💙🙏🏽

[@brendameredith5611]

That flood was horrific to say the least. I was born & raised in Clendenin, I lived on Clendenin hill. My Uncle & Aunt still live there and I am so thankful that their lives & home was spared in that tragedy, as I know so many were not. Thank you for this video and God Bless!! 🙏❤ West Virginia Proud 💙💛💙💛

[@markdellacqua1038]

As a resident of Maryland, PBS of Maryland could learn a lot from PBS of West Virginia. Excellent video.

[@bobbymercier7113]

That's my kin Mr.Wyatt, wonderful singer and songwriter and missionary. The girls say hi John you sounded great on this documentary.

[@kimberleywheeler4126]

@Markus Allen I always call it government issued weather , don't make.snow cones ,or swim n.this 😬😬

[@___KIT__]

My family is from Greenbrier CO. We were not there when it happened, but I remember getting texts from my uncle and good friend over there for prayers. We watched the news non-stop praying for our friends and family trapped. Our camp was luckily spared and family was thankfully safe.

[@themysticmuse1111]

2 years later and this state is still feeling the effects of this flood.

[@mariekatherine5238]

I saw it and I believed it. The body of a girl was discovered, the last one unaccounted for, the day I drove through. So sad. May her soul Rest In Peace.

[@SRCMinistry]

what an EXCELLENT documentary!!

[@dorascott8286]

Having been born @ Cabin Creek Kanawha Co.WVa , need less to say i love this state...If i have not waited to long, i may very well move back..It is the good people that i miss so much..God bless you one and all...

[@jenmb2679]

There are nice people everywhere. West virginians dont realize that.

[@gigirobbin5340]

It saddens my heart to see this, but I love how they came together🙌🏻

[@johnwitt8217]

To bobby babylon....hell has a special place waiting for you

[@andallraryantba8020]

Bobby Babylon you are straight up dumpster juice! You are no doubt talking about your lame family of inbreds!

[@dondroc1]

The Great state of West Virginia! Home of the most beautiful land and the best people that live.

[@TheBeaver50]

i miss living in west virginia

[@steveheilman2925]

WV my family bought our land and are going to raise our children on the farm we build there...

[@TheBeaver50]

@@steveheilman2925 what part of west virginia ?

[@steveheilman2925]

@@TheBeaver50 eastern panhandle, between hedgesville and berkley springs...

[@donnebes9421]

dondroc1 that’s debatable.

[@jmecook619]

THIS HAPPENED IN THE TOWN I GREW UP CLENDENIN,WV MY FAMILY WAS TRAPPED BECAUSE OF FLOOD THIS IS HEART WRENCHING AND HARD...BUT WE ARE MOUNTAINEER STRONG!

[@sharonduggan3314]

My father and mother lived in clendenin,wv

[@marke8323]

Shout out from a former Blue Creek resident!!!

[@stevenewby9346]

Rest in Peace Lesa Hess. You were loved and are missed by many.

[@lrlapua8035]

Amazing how so many forget 1985.......

[@danielhaggerty5941]

Worse than anything we've had. Weston was literally under water.

[@usmc-veteran7316]

I was in the Army National Guard with the 111th Engineer Group during the 1985 Flood. Also was involved with the Summer 2001 flood with the 1st Battalion 77th Trp Command.

[@lrlapua8035]

@@usmc-veteran7316 I was with 1092nd during 85 flood...might know you....or possibly worked with you during flood ? I was in Petersburg, Moorefield for close to 2 weeks...

[@sharonduggan3314]

I lived in canard West Virginia we were in a goalie and when floods come daddy called it A hell busting gully washer,so sad we had to move to South Carolina when I was 7 ,I have been back a few times ,still beautiful!

[@earthlovelive]

Watching from NZ 2021, such a fantastic documentary and Mr Wyatt, I could listen to you all day! Absolutely love how the community and far and wide came together, I hope that these people have got their towns restored to what they had before and more. Though it will never quite be the same, I see a beauty in these people that is so heart-warming...that strength will have hopefully seen them through.

[@SheldonGoff]

That's just how it works here. No one expects any outside help, so everyone pitches in and helps one another.

[@stephenbrand5661]

@Sheldon Goff Lol if that were really true WV wouldn't have so many people on food stamps and welfare and disability and addicted to opioids!!

[@jeannemarcinek4575]

These people in West Virginia who perished gave their lives so others may live. So I see them as heroes who gave their lives. West Virginia's people are strong people and they have a strong faith in God they are resilient and it shows.

[@billbergendahl2911]

What I remember about that flood is that there were parts of Route 64 in Greenbrier County that were underwater. The Greenbrier Classic Golf Tournament was canceled. The Keith Thompson seen in this video was our cook at the Mount Hope Lions Club many years ago.

[@kenjett2434]

This shows how West Virginian people pull together in tough times. Where i live in Wirt County we was lucky on this flood it missed us. But in recent history we have suffered twice with this level of flooding. Once in 1969 with remnants of Hurricane Camille and again in 1985. More times than i can care to remember i have witnessed the devastation of flooding. Although its been 3 years since this flood the scars will last a lifetime. But as humans with faith, hope, tenacity and the love of God can over come whatever is thrown at us.

[@bluesioux9538]

My folks lived up 92 but were down in WSS when this hit. By God's grace they made it thru & got home but so many ppl were affected. Even across the VA line, it was flooded in my little childhood community of Callaghan. God bless West Virginians--real ppl worth knowing!

[@EH-nw6bu]

Was part of the National Guard that supported my fellow mountaineers. Stay strong WV, we're Almost Heaven!!

[@Smallcherokeegirl08]

This really upset me and I cried through all of it. I was born and raised in WV, and my parents took us away from there. I always want to go home. It has been 30 years and I still have not got to go back home. I am now 57 and still feel that loss of home. I just want to go home, but I just don't know if I can ever go back there. It has changed and I cannot even really find a place to buy where I want to buy a home. I miss it, but I don't think I can ever go home again. It grieves me, but I guess that is something I will take to the grave with me. I miss home. I pray for my fellow West Virginians, and I think about them often. WV is always in my heart, forever. It is in my blood and soul and it will never leave me.

[@crittercosner2877]

You would be just as sad moving back here. Watching the old dirt roads turn into paved speedways for idiots. Everyone you know growing up and moving away. The worst part is watching assholes buy up property, then post or log it, so the woods you grew up and remember so fondly are gone. The woods I played in as a kid were bought up and houses built there. If I were you, I would treasure your memories and time here and move on.

[@TwoBs]

.....I don't know what area of WV you live around in, but hell seeing paved roads here would be a nice commodity. We don't have those here, and even the ones that are paved haven't been paved since the 90s. They maybe end in a dirt road that leads up on a ridge somewhere up a holler, but nothing like speedways for idiots. Not all of WV is turning into what you described. There are still many pockets here that are just as rich with the living that has been here for years. You just have to get out of the bigger cities and suburbs and actually look. They're there .... hell, I live in one. My whole backyard is 32 acres of nothing but mountain and untouched greenery. My neighbor is just the same. It's small, quiet, and everyone knows everyone. We just got high speed internet a couple of years ago, there's no cell service here, and you're still better off to get a satellite dish if you are desperate enough to need cable TV. The only saddening thing here is the poverty that has become worse over the years and the drugs pouring in from our neighbors in Ohio and greedy doctors looking to take advantage of bored, broke people to get them addicted to opiods in a state so desperate for anything....but even with that, that is still only major in the cities (ie: crime rates, whereas here in my community crime is still well below 2% annually). Even with that, though, you couldn't pay me to move. I love what I used to hate in WV growing up because you can't get the community I have here anywhere else -- not like this. My husband and I make a good living right where we are for our children. Please explore your state more before putting it down.

[@themysticmuse1111]

Smallcherokeegirl08 so come on back. We have room. ;)

[@jeffgrumley8230]

I was just in WV at the beginning of May exploring yalls mountains and I fell in love quickly. I live in PA which we have our mountains and wilderness but I have never seen, even traveling coast to coast as a youngin, such beauty. I wish you could move back to your home. Best wishes.

[@samuelparker9882]

Smallcherokeegirl08 You guys TRULY love your home! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT! PEACE, POWER AND PROSPERITY TO ALL OF YOU! To the Thompson family... GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

[@danielhaggerty5941]

We have these floods every year, so far 2019 has been alright thank god.

[@TinFoilCat90]

Our Middle and High school kids education has suffered greatly. we lost our local high school and they have been sharing half days at the middle school. My 11th grader only had school from 2pm-430. Imagine how far behind they are compared to the rest of the state/country. It is May 2017 and the kids will be in portables NEXT YEAR. I think it is rediculous that they didn't even start putting in portables until a almost a year later. How can these kids possibly be getting a proper education only 2 1/2 hours a Mon-Fri.

[@michellelewis42]

Is this at meadow bridge school

[@TheShiftersMusic]

@Markus Allen bro, take your meds. 😂

[@ozzyhoang3499]

USA has 49 states left. West Virginia is absolutely abandoned by the Government.

[@pamelabrumfield7679]

I cant say that i was pleased with this segment of the flood! The reporter never mentioned White Sulphur or my hometown of Alderson. Hopefully someone else will.😢😢 😊

[@SheldonGoff]

We have these 1,000 year floods about every 3-5 years now.

[@kinte1870]

That only means you have a 1 in 1000 chance of experiencing that type of flood each year.

[@SarahWallraven]

Yep as we saw today

[@SheldonGoff]

@@kinte1870 if I had odds like that on the Powerball I'd be a rich man.

[@kinte1870]

@@SheldonGoff not necessarily because you could play 1000 times and still not win.

[@gypsywade2827]

And here we are again...flooded out and turning into fish

[@karensmith2501]

I live in McDowell County WV been through 3 myself.

[@ronnielindauer4874]

Do u know the wytes or castles?

[@robertstricker9154]

I ws born and raised in clendenin and live up a holler on top of a hill, but my girlfreind lived right in the middle of town not 20ft from the river, it took me 2 days to actually get into town due to washed out roads and trees and dubree on the roads, her Apt. was one of the least affected in town with a foot or so of water in it while all the houses around her had 3 to 4ft of water in them and the house behind her was under water. we had people from all over the country and all over the world come in to help with the clean up and they worked right along side the people trying to save what they could of there lives and the people here was glad to see it, that was 6 years ago there still tearing out houses that couldn't be saved

[@mclovin9151]

i like how coal miners in WV helped shape this country, and then when we found better ways to mine coal, we just forgot about all these people and their families.

[@wardog9751]

For some reason Frost West Virginia is one of my favorite places in the state

[@undercoversasquatch2402]

West Virginia is actually in the top 5 states that rain the most in the United States I live in Huntington wv it barely missed my city

[@averagegamer3405]

I'm from Huntington just off where route 60 and I64 cross

[@andallraryantba8020]

I’m from Dutch Ridge, Clendenin, WV.

[@Rogue.Rider0]

West Virginia is the Washington of the East Coast. WV is a mini rain forest and has the most diverse ecosystem in the country along with Washington State.

[@andyandryshak3961]

@@Rogue.Rider0 WV is the eastern most western state, the western most eastern state,the northern most southern state, the southern most northern state. Peace... Andy

[@marke8323]

I used to live on top of Bradrick hill, across the Ohio River from Huntington, sitting at night in the front yard looking down on the Ohio and all of Huntington...

[@extrofactor]

I honestly never knew about these floodings. Its sad that the news media only cares about what brings in more ratings. Being from NJ ive always wanted to travel to this part of America. I’ve always heard how the people in the south are some of the most kind people. Hopefully one day i can take a trip down there. I have family that live in Alexandria and Manassass VA but when i travel there i get the same vibes as if i were in Jersey lol i wanna get to kno the real south

[@margaretdevries8090]

Break your heart ! Can’t stop the tears....know it was a long time ago ! But seeing the aftermath? Awful !

[@birddog7492]

The weather had been bad and Rainey for day's. My brother and I had work to do in Cowen WV, as we drove to Cowen we saw first responders going out and at first we did not know what was happening. The rain just keep falling. This was around ten O'clock AM. Richwood needed help. And that's where the emergence crews were going. We did our job and returned to my shop in Summersville which was also flooding not as bad as other towns but bad enough for us to go home We live in Nicholas Co. Our homes were safe however It just keep raining the rest of the day. And the longer it rained the more homes were flooded. It truly was offal. Small springs were draining as much water as a small river would drain. small creeks were draining as much water as a Medium river would drain And small rivers were Hugh rivers for day's.

[@josephlechliter9260]

God bless the family of the flood and the loss of your family IM so sorry you had to be in such an flood

[@geaj4214]

Did this also happen in Green Spring off of route 1 could someone please answer please this is terrible.

[@ldygzlle1291]

Good video. Maps explaining the locations would have been helpful.

[@laurabrowning924]

Miss you Millie....

[@smug8567]

I'll tell you what we need. We need some paying gigs. We don't need this messing around, first on one patio and then another.That's ridiculous.

[@koleycraytor6034]

My cousin Logan was in the last graduating class from the old RHS

[@jimstanley8924]

Wow , you didn’t hardly mention Clendenin or elkview , they were hit hard as well as all the others

[@Houndini]

Was right out middle it. Just bought like $300 of food most frozen food, day or 2 before, Lost all it. I was very lucky, Water got like 15 yards from house. Lot people lost whole lot more, Ground was all ready water soaked. Going work that evening it was so-so bad. Police block road asked & told them where I lived. They told me you best try get back home right now. We getting reports its getting very bad up there in that area. Creek came up like 1 to 1 1/2 foot within 45 mins. It was like 1/2 to 3/4 up on driver side door of my lifted 4X4 Tk. at a bad spot. I just about went back down creek backward. But barely made it. But in 45 mins creek raised that much.

[@paulhubbard252]

Jessica did a great job on a adverse story

[@normal_media]

Springfield/romney took a heck of a hit as well. 5in.hr

[@EAMKHS1]

I was born and raised in California. I'm a history buff. I've always wanted to go to West Virginia. One of these days I will God willing. :)

[@danielhaggerty5941]

Ain't nowhere else in the world like it. I'm from lost creek wv, and I've always wanted to see California lol

[@feurigerStern]

I am originally from California, lived in Virginia 3 months, Kentucky 5 years and now West Virginia 1 year. Beautiful in the Western part, but I live on the Eastern Panhandle. I hate it and can hardly wait to get out. I miss Kentucky, but hopefully, I will be in Virginia next year for practical purposes.

[@steveheilman2925]

@@danielhaggerty5941 just north of you in Berkley county. I love Greenbank, Pocahontas county...

[@keiliefae3762]

I am originally from Southern California. I moved to WV in 1993. I will never go back to California. West Virginia is my home.

[@sousamartins59]

I have a cabin in Romney I travel twice a month from NJ 300 miles each way to what I call a paradise from heaven I love the people and the beautiful mountains

[@remyboy4415]

What about the 85 flood?

[@mikewatte4478]

We get big floods here in ireland uk. The real issue is we have built towns on ancient flood planes

[@daeding5343]

You right

[@gammagaming8238]

I live in wv

[@stevehartman1730]

The flood of 85 was horrible i worked for Mennonite Dusaster service then

[@dangerously72]

And with so much 'clear-cutting' around the state...it won't take much rain to cause a repeat of these kinds of disasters. #TruthBomb

[@lucki911]

That’s a foolish thing to link to the flood. It was the perfect situation, clear cutting wasn’t a large factor in how the flood came to be. A lot more clear cutting happened in the early 1900’s, they didn’t have a 1000 year flood flood.

[@dangerously72]

@@lucki911 stfu...i bet you work for the logging industry..only you buffoons don't understand the link between all the clear-cutting and how it has increased potential for more frequent flooding. I have spent my life hunting, fishing and hiking the WV hills...i see first hand what's going on behind the gates and ridges that are hidden from 90% of most ppls eyes.

[@prosperjeloomis849]

Each and Every single year, for reinsurance purposes: There's a 1 in 1,000 chance of a thousand year flood; There's a 1 in 500 chance of a five-hundred year flood; There's a 1 in 100 chance of a hundred year flood; There's a 1 in 50 chance of a fifty year flood. For each actl. chance (adjudicated by stakeholders outside & beyond our local control in the States, or the Counties where the people are living day in and day out) there's a matching map. When a flood, like this one, turns out to be a thousand year flood, people are impacted in the 1,000 plain, the 500 plain, the 50 plain, etc. into the course of the watercouse itself. In contrast, a 50 year flood doesn't or shouldn't impact past the farther zones. Exceptions might be when the feds flood safe areas on the same or lower elevations but without connection to the flooded watercourse or with an opposing slope, topography or, flow gradient, in order to save federal assets, relieve dams, etc. These plains, zones, maps, have nothing to do with assisting the people of the land, God's Own. The plains are about risk mitigation for reinsurers.

[@jenmb2679]

What did the older gentleman die of?

[@ozzyhoang3499]

Alzheimer

[@nvkotex6972]

When I listened to Richwood's mayor, all I could think about was Forrest Gump saying, "Stupid is as stupid does." If the town keeps flooding, you have to realize it is folly to keep rebuilding.

[@jenmb2679]

Wow, finally someone with common sense. They dont think that theres nice people in other states, as well

[@laymanspc]

The town does not flood very often. I would agree with your logic if you were talking about the hurricane ridden coast where destruction happens much more often. Complain about the ones we're building new houses for a couple times per decade.

[@averagegamer3405]

Other places have more disasters that are rebuilt more often go bother them

[@chrism8180]

Like people who live in tornado alley. Just plop another trailer down. Can't fix stupid

[@spuriouseffect]

How many thousand year floods does poor Richwood get?

[@paulat6622]

I lost my job because the bridge was washed out at the shopping center In Elkview Wv

[@tim1883]

That was like one of the most messed up things I ever saw. How could one miscreant kill all those jobs over a bridge?

[@paulat6622]

Kmart and Kroger’s was going to go into together to build the bridge back the owner of the shopping center said NO.

[@tim1883]

@@paulat6622 I know honey, I live in Charleston. My 88 year old father was livid over that.

[@paulat6622]

I worked for Kmart in Elkview for 22 1/2 years. It was sad

[@paulat6622]

I’m on Facebook

[@missgrannysmithapple3786]

Need more underground pipes and gorges.

[@gerryjones131]

I see that on your video there is a man named Estep. My aunt and uncle named was Estep my uncle's name was Jimmy Estep and he had a sister named Margie and they were from Williamson West Virginia are you related to them because my aunt is still alive she is 95. Her maiden name was Downing from Williamson West Virginia that was my maiden name Williamson was my hometown.I haven't lived there probably in 50 years I've been living in Florida all that time and I think about my hometown all the time and wish I could see it again before I die. Are you related to the estep's from Williamson West Virginia let me know

[@obfuscated3090]

It happened once so it will happen again. Can't blame folks for moving because you can beat many things except water. Best to measure how high the flood got and build safety-critical buildings well above waterline and away from likely washouts. Building with cement and concrete block is common in areas like the Caribbean which expect repeat storms.

[@MrWhitelightning73]

Was this worse than the 1985 flood ?

[@dirtbikeheaven1129]

In some places.

[@mikebaker9574]

By far. This was a flash flood,12 people died in my home town of White Sulphur Springs. And I'm old enough to remember the flood of 72 being worse than the flood of 85 in my area.

[@johnnydoggs]

All west virginny homes need too be built up higher now no more of this is necessary

[@lrlapua8035]

I guess 1985 has been forgotten......

[@virginiawilliams8648]

LR Lapua what happened in 1985??

[@donniegaus6237]

1985 is not and will not be forgotten by me as well as this flood.

[@tammywines9789]

@@donniegaus6237 I remember 1985 and 86 well , we lived on the Shenandoah river ( born &raised ) terrible floods baby.

[@booneminshall2598]

I was born in 84 and hear stories and pics of the flood of 85, and I lost a home to the el Nino floods in the winter of 96.. The 85 flood affected the Eastern panhandle (where i live) worse than other parts of the state and we had very little flooding in 2016. I believe this is why they don't mention the flood of 85..

[@mclovin9151]

4:20 "...many of whom would have died" those the words you're lookin for

[@edwinstorz702]

Not one word mentioned on Public Television!

[@andyandryshak3961]

This You Tube video is from a WV Public Broadcasting program. Peace... Andy

[@billrandolph5375]

Floodwaters in mountain areas are devastating in their destructive powers. Here in western N.C., we've experienced similar disasters. Nature on the rampage is not to be played with.

[@latintrader]

Bill Randolph keep voting for those anti science global warming deniers called Republicans.... you all deserve it.

[@tammywines9771]

@@latintrader Lmfao STFU watch your karma Dumbass.

[@dorthysebastian9269]

Tammy Wines 0

[@prosperjeloomis849]

Bill Randolph Nature's never on a rampage. Gravity adds a punch, Appalachia isn't a flat sheet. Flooding = Recycling. Unfortunately, it's historically cheapest to build where it's flatter which is usually along watercourses.

[@jenmb2679]

I keep up on the news but never heard of any flood in W.V.

[@johnwitt8217]

You cant spell so im sure you cant read..hmm guess thats why you missesd it...your mother sure didn't teach you nothing..guess she was ignorant like you..

[@tammywines9789]

Omg ? What ? It was horrible !!

[@JAJones-jq1pn]

What planet do yoou live on og ? I live in England now and I heard about it.

[@billypoppins9138]

@@johnwitt8217 You are very astute 😁

[@andallraryantba8020]

John Witt obviously you’re the ignorant one. You can’t comprehend very well there scooter!

[@robincoulter6184]

massive rebuilding coming I think

[@johnnydoggs]

why build in flood zones

[@neilpatrickhairless5007]

We still don't have the schools rebuilt.

[@steveheilman2925]

That's because we have a large home schooled movement...

[@neilpatrickhairless5007]

@@steveheilman2925 I'm not sure about that. It could be true. I do know that their is a tremendous battle since 2016 about consolidation. Meanwhile 3 classes have graduated out of little pods. Nothing to call their own. In this time not a single shovel full of dirt has been moved towards building new schools of any kind. If I was FEMA iid take my money and go home.

[@jenmb2679]

they live in a bubble under a ginormous rock

[@jenniferbradshaw298]

the government can stop poverty in one day but theyr too greedy and make themselves rich .

[@ai.117unsc4]

11:31 you better believe me I am grandma and John ones says if drugs coming west Virginia he will wipe out with all with water.

[@tim1883]

That is pretty silly grandma.

[@gerryjones131]

Why is West Virginia always having floods they had floods and talks about floods when I grew up there. they had a big flood in Williamson in 1977 I think it was . What is causing all these floods is it because it rains and comes down the mountain into the rivers

[@SarahWallraven]

Here today I say its every 5 year flood and its only going to get worse the only reason this got media attention was because it was an election year we won't get help this time 😔 💔

[@ofwoodbridgeandhedgely1765]

Why would they rebuild in the selfsame spots? They should have taken the insurance money and gone to higher ground. With the N Hemisphere warming, these types of events are projected to be more and more common.

[@ofwoodbridgeandhedgely1765]

There may have been anomolies, but a lot of the White Sulfur Springs and Clendenin properties were in or around the 100 year flood zone. But when the atmosphere is 0.8-1C hotter, it can hold more moisture and dump more rain in already rainy areas of the country, so those 100 year flood zones are going to turn into 20-50 year flood zones and the 100 year zone will expand. It's best for all those homes to be moved if they get destroyed.

[@TinFoilCat90]

Of Woodbridge and Hedgely As someone from the flooded area Elkview I can tell you that the insurance didn't cover half what it should have. It is May 2017 and some people in Clendenin are still trying to rebuild. My great uncle is 98 years old and had never seen a flood like it. I am still displaced from my work place because the bridge to my job is gone and just now being rebuilt. On top of the flood damages I have had to drive 40min every day to work instead of 5min. Unless you were there you have no idea how terrifying and devastating it was.

[@ofwoodbridgeandhedgely1765]

+Pizznad - a 1C increase in atmospheric temperature increases it's holding capacity by 7%. Except we're heading to 2-4C; we're already at the 0.8-1C mark. But that extra 7% isn't evenly distributed over the hemisphere's geometry. Wet areas are going to get wetter, which means WV and the northeast are going to get an inproportional dose of that extra precipitation . The number of record breaking heavy rainfall events has gone up 20% already in the last 30 years, globally, with the already wet areas leading the charge on such. I don't have an exact figure regarding redrawing flood zones and frequencies on a time series; I was trying to illustrate in an easy to follow manner the plausible consequences of this climate trend; but the probability of reaching those numbers becomes greater the hotter it gets. It would be a good project to sit down with the NE numbers and recalculate probabilities for the area, but I'm busy doing 12 other things at the moment. If you're going to rebuild in the same place, you should really think about putting your home on stilts like they do in modern coastal construction; at some point these insurance companies are going to have to raise flood insurance rates to cover all the more frequent events. Federal Flood Ins. Program has ballooned up to a 1 Trillion dollar program over the last 15 years and Congress has already started hinting at getting that under control with their Bigert-Waters legislation.

[@jenmb2679]

Ikr👌👌

[@gullwingstorm857]

Turned off when the woman said she left her dogs.

[@dstorm7752]

Hoyer certainly has the bureaucratic babble down pat...

[@sandraburke2403]

MOTHER EARTH BALANCING HER GLOBE WITH THE FATHER

[@jenrferruso]

hence WEST BY GOD VIRIGINIA!!!!

[@tammykinard492]

[@jenmb2679]

I would never live near any coastline. Thats just crazy. Floods happen all too often

[@MrLugnutt]

Maybe you have been smoking a little too much of something or an obvious product of public education, but West Virginia is a landlocked state and nowhere near a coastline! These floods were a product of 8-12 inches of rain and nothing more. The problem that made it so bad was not just the 8 inches of rain that fell in your front lawn, but also from the 8 inches of rain that fell on the surrounding mountains that all ran down into the valley which was where the town was located.

[@sherryporsch9349]

og jenny FYI WV does not have any coast line. It’s in the middle of Allegheny Mountains!!

[@marthakosky7533]

Somebody needs to go back to geography class.

[@bethewalt7385]

How stupid are you kid? OG stand for overly goober? WV is not on a coast, kidz these days, thick as a brick dumb as a box of rocks...

[@deirdrepasko9056]

I don't understand why people are throwing their belongings away? Everything can be sanitized, especially plastic and metal products, like those bicycles. Books and papers that have been submerged under water can be restored by placing them in a refrigerator. Antique furniture can be sanitized, re-glued, and repaired. There's no reason to throw everything away except drywall and insulation.

[@MsNnazario]

Deirdre Pasko were you in the flood?

[@terriestafford4454]

My aunt and uncle we're in the flood. We threw away oodles of clothes and much more. Items submerged in that nasty, infested water, mud, and much more was just nasty and not sanitary. I can't imagine wearing clothes that had been submerged for days in that filthy water. A lot of items there was no hope in saving it, had to be thrown out.😟

[@TinFoilCat90]

Deirdre Pasko I don't think you understand. The river was full of bacteria from sewer and septic tanks. Everything stunk. People tried the day after to save things but not much was salvagable. My 98 year old great uncle sat on his porch as we brought things out of the house and all he cared about were the black and white pictures of his mom and dad as he cried in confusion and wiped the mud from them.

[@TinFoilCat90]

Deirdre Pasko Also there was no water to clean with. We drove 3 cities away to find jugs of water and we only got 3 jugs per family from the aid station. You just don't understand until you stand looking at half of your house missing. We weren't even allowed to go back into houses until the power was manually shut down pole by pole and inspected for structural safety.

[@clarkewi]

Not old mattresses and couches and clothes etc. In warm weather the dirty water rots and destroys this stuff very quickly..

[@madcat1949]

Where are the billionaires Buffet Gates and others ?They could go and built all new houses and still be filthy rich.but no nothing That’s why it says in Bible that it’s easier for a camel to get Thur the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get in to Heaven in other words they will never get into Heaven.It breaks my heart I wish I could help the people.I have very little but what I have I help.You see this and so thankful it’s not you!God bless these people of West Virginia!

[@jenmb2679]

People in W. V. Dont realise how helpful people are in other states, as well.its not just them

[@johnwitt8217]

Wow what a real pos...

[@JAJones-jq1pn]

As a West Virginian who was born and raised in the state ( Edmond , Fayette County ) , I take exception to what you commented. We are a hard working proud people that like to take care of things ourselves. But due to the severity of this flood , we knew we needed help. And we were and continue to this day , are extremely thankful to everyone who came and helped us out during one of the roughest times in our states' history. People from all over the country came and helped West Virginia dig out , or donted food, water, cleaning supplies or just an ear to listen to. And we wre and are so thankful. I don't know what rock you crawled out under , but please go back and stay there !! WEST VIRGINIA STRONG !!

[@sophroniamason2730]

Ignore this mister ma'am, I see his strange remarks and profile picture, on many videos about our mountains and way of life. He/She's either very bored, jealous or just a troll bot.

[@averagegamer3405]

@@sophroniamason2730 I agree

[@andallraryantba8020]

J.A. Jones I grew up in Gauley Bridge, Fayette county.

[@scrappmutt2]

"Let's show the world what it means to be Strong!" Dear God, does the same PR firm have on a monopoly on disaster relief or something? Probably have pre-made city disaster T-Shirt templates to go along with it.

[@seanberthiaume3279]

WHY didn't they LEAVE FAST!

[@andallraryantba8020]

sean berthiaume the storm blew thru the state faster than predicted! Time is not always on your side.

[@marthakosky7533]

Are you paying attention? It hit 44 counties. There was no where to

[@wmcbarker4155]

I am deaf..no subtitling=thumbs down...#West Virginians can't read so why bother

[@albrownmd]

Your comment is sad. Sad that you’re deaf and sad that you decided to stereotype all West Virginians. I wish you well and hope you would revisit your comment one day with a more open position of thoughts.

[@josephwinkler4863]

This really pains my heart why didn’t we see this on the news!! Oh that’s right the liberal Jew media was too busy bad mouthing Donald Trump

[@grownwoman5533]

No sir. Trump wasn't in office. I was right there when it happened and it was on the news.

[@mikecastellon3022]

Media don’t care cause u white Americans and not one of the favored victim groups

[@andallraryantba8020]

You need to see some daylight there scooter!

[@andyandryshak3961]

What's this "Jew"media stuff??? This is no place for racist,white supremacist claptrap!!! Peace... Andy

[@michaelbracken5049]

Did it wash their meth away ?

[@jenmb2679]

Hopefully, they get some common sense and move elsewhere.

[@jenmb2679]

@MrBobman1966 all 50 states aren't safe? you can't find just 1? there are plenty of SAFER places to live. there's pros and cons for every state.you're wrong. i lived in michigan and Ohio, and we don't get natural disasters. Midwest and northern states are safer. you can't make that claim for EVERY state.

[@sophroniamason2730]

It is questionable as to who here is most in need of some "common sense", or just any sense, for that matter.

[@averagegamer3405]

@@jenmb2679 Michigan and Ohio have snow, lots of snow and of course the worst problem with those two states is you.

[@jenmb2679]

@@averagegamer3405 ha,we barely get snow.new england does,though. Btw ,dont care.have a good day😂

[@averagegamer3405]

@@jenmb2679 you don't care so much you comment on this video a lot

[@paularnold2108]

That's just a fact of life. When you're in the mountains water is going to run down the creeks in torrents with a heavy rain. The only answer is to LEAVE.

[@christophercaprio4983]

And go where? And with what? Not everyone has enough disposable income to just pack up and leave there family and life behind that has roots that date back over 100 years. "Just Leave"? This has to be the definition of stupidity and ignorance.

[@sheilahadley3420]

56 seconds in catholic charities ..... done wont watch another minute.

[@macchris4521]

Curious as to why?