West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) work crews have been working around the clock to open roads and clear debris after up to four inches of rain fell in Ohio County during a half-hour period on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Flash flooding killed at least three people and destroyed numerous homes in the Wheeling area.
"Our thoughts are with those affected by this fast-moving storm," said Transportation Secretary Stephen Todd Rumbaugh, P.E. "I have deployed resources from several DOH districts to assist with equipment and operators and will continue on the scene until it's complete."
Rumbaugh deployed resources from WVDOH Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 to assist District 6 crews with cleanup efforts, including 29 pieces of heavy equipment and their crews. Rumbaugh said crews would remain in Ohio County until cleanup is complete.
WVDOH District 6 Manager Mike Daley said he had not seen such devastation since the historic floods of 1985 and 2016. “It blew the windows and doors out of houses,” Daley said. “It washed homes off of their foundations and carried mobile homes 200 or 300 feet from their original locations.”
Flash floods closed several roads in the area overnight, including US 40. Daley said most roads in the county are reopened, but cleanup crews and emergency responders are still unable to get to many people who remain trapped in their homes. Several people remain missing.
WVDOH cleanup crews are now dealing with massive debris choking the roads, including cars, buildings, and even homes that were swept up by floodwaters. Numerous bridges were also blocked with debris, including Conex storage containers and cars.
WVDOH work crews are continuing to work with state and local officials and emergency responders to gain access to people still trapped by the flooding.
