Nature is not always kind. Sometimes she warns you before she strikes, sometimes not. But every part of the world has fallen prey to natural disasters at some point or another. These are four of the most memorable to strike the Mountain State.
This disaster is the reason a flood wall was built in Huntington and Parkersburg. The flood, which affected several states, was the result of melting snow and nearly three consecutive weeks of rainfall. The waters crested 10 feet above flood stage in Wheeling and more than 19 feet in Huntington and Parkersburg. The flood cost the state $500 million in damages and caused the deaths of about 400 people.
These were the deadliest tornadoes ever to hit West Virginia. On June 23-24, three twisters swept across the state. One powerful F-4 destroyed several portions of Shinnston in Harrison County, causing the death of 66 residents. Two other tornadoes also hit the state, bringing the total number of fatalities to 104.
Hurricane Juan was the cause of these floods during the first week of November '85. It mostly affected the eastern region of the state, causing either damage or complete destruction of some 13,000 homes and businesses. It cost the state $700 million in damages and resulted in 38 fatalities.
So much rain fell over a period of just 12 hours on June 23-24, that it caused one of the deadlier floods in recent history. The main reason for this is because it created flash flooding across the state. Greenbrier County got the worst of it, causing the death of 15 people. In White Sulphur Springs, many homes were destroyed and there is even a video circulating the Internet of a burning house floating along a creek and colliding with a bridge. In Elkview, heavy floods destroyed a bridge near interstate 79. In Roane County, flooding damaged approximately 500 homes, and several communities in Clay County were left in ruins. The governor declared a state of emergency in 44 counties and ordered the deployment of the National Guard to assist affected residents. Upon his visit to West Virginia, President Obama declared the state a major disaster area.
Even though natural disasters can cause truly devastating damage, West Virginians are always there to help each other out. While sometimes the ability to prepare is non-existent, a resounding compassion is always in abundance among the residents of the Mountain State.
Do you remember some of the disasters on this list? We want to hear your story. Please comment below and add to the discussion.
