Victims from Saturday’s flash floods identified; Recovery efforts continue
Recovery efforts continue in Wheeling as eight are now confirmed dead. One person remains missing at this time.
Updated June 26: The eighth and ninth victims from the June 14 floods have been identified. They are Jesse Pearson, 43, of Triadelphia, and Sandra Parsons, 83, of Triadelphia. Pearson was found last week at the confluence of Big Wheeling Creek and the Ohio River. Parsons was found on Tuesday outside of Clarington, Ohio some 40 miles south of Wheeling.
Updated June 18, 2025 at 10:50 a.m. At a press conference on Wednesday, June 18, authorities confirmed the death of an unidentified male. The death toll from Saturday's flash floods in Ohio County is now eight people. Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo said authorities were originally looking for a missing female. One person remains unaccounted for at this time.
Updated June 17, 2025 at 10:05 a.m. In the evening on June 16, Governor Patrick Morrisey said a body was recovered roughly 40 miles south of Wheeling in New Martinsville. On Tuesday, June 17, authorities identified the decedent as Connie Veronis, 71, of Moundsville, raising the death toll from Saturday’s floods to seven.
The Intelligencer reports one individual remains missing at this time.
OHIO COUNTY, W. Va. – Officials from the city of Wheeling and Ohio County held a press conference Monday, June 16 where they provided a somber update on their rescue and recovery efforts after devastating flash floods struck the area on Saturday.
Authorities announced a sixth person was confirmed dead and identified the victims.
Michael Veronis, 74, of Moundsville
Michael Bokanovich, 73, of Triadelphia
Lisa McMasters, 59, of Triadelphia
Kyleigh Minch Shotton, 26, of Triadelphia
Parker Shotton, 3, of Triadelphia
Travis Creighton, 19, of Triadelphia
“This is an incredibly difficult time and our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one affected by this disaster,” said Deputy Sheriff Kent Lewis of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office. “We ask for your respect and compassion for these families so that they can grieve.”
Lewis said this may be the largest mass casualty event ever in Ohio County.
Two people remain missing at this time.
Recovery efforts continue in Ohio County…
The news of sixth death comes as recovery efforts continue throughout the county.
Chief Jim Blazier of the Wheeling Fire Department said his crews were taking a “systematic approach” going door-by-door to search for victims. Vehicles that were washed into Wheeling Creek after the floods are being removed and searched.
Rescue operations stretch from Valley Grove to the Ohio River. Blazier said his department has boats on the river to monitor the mouth of Wheeling Creek and in areas downstream where they can “predict where recoveries can be made.” The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office has reportedly launched a boat of their own monitoring the Ohio River as well.
Director Lou Vargo of the Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency said gas leaks in the impacted areas that were hampering power restoration have been fixed. Still, 1,700 people remain without power.
The village of Valley Grove’s water system, which was heavily affected by the floods, appears to be repaired and crews are working to repressurize the system.
Authorities signaled that the unified response of local, state and federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations and citizen volunteers, are helping to bring a sense of normalcy back to those in the worst affected areas. .
A call to avoid the area…
Authorities revamped their pleas for citizens not involved in recovery work or residents of the impacted communities to avoid the area. Officials from the Division of Highways, or DOH, and the National Guard are monitoring traffic and checking IDs in an effort to deter thru traffic.
“The traffic because of the sightseeing is adversely impacting the area command post…[and] the recovery efforts,” said Chief Shawn Schwertfeger of the Wheeling Police Department. “You can see [the damage] via the coverage of your local media. You don’t need to drive out there.”
Leaders say the biggest concern with non-essential travel remains the stability of impacted roadways. Roads that were submerged in the rapid flood waters may be unsafe to traverse. DOH crews are assessing roads and bridges in the impacted area.
Several roads remain closed or restricted at this time, including Warden Run Road, Lumber Avenue, U.S. Route 40 between Triadelphia and Valley Grove, GC&P Road, Middle Creek Road, Peters Run Road, Dixon Run Road, Short Creek Road, McGraw’s Run Road, Atkinson Crossing, Battle Run Road and Point Run Road.
The Shilling Bridge in Elm Grove has reopened to traffic.
CORRECTION: It appears a mistake was made at the press conference. The Shilling Bridge is closed at this time. The Junior Avenue bridge is open.
In an effort to further consolidate the collected and disbursements of donations, three aid distribution sites have been established: the Wheeling Armory at 25 Armory Drive, WesBanco Arena at 2 14th Street, and GUNTRY West Virginia at 45 Caliber Drive. Those wishing to volunteer or donate supplies are urged to call (304) 234-7109, a dedicated line of communication coordinating civilian relief efforts.
Other nonprofit organizations, like Ohio Valley Mutual Aid, are coordinating with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or VOAD, to provide muck out services, cleaning supplies and other aid efforts.
Hopes for a national response…
Local EMA director Vargo said Monday that preliminary damage assessments are ongoing. Once this assessment is completed, that report will be forwarded to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, Region 3 headquarters in Philadelphia, Penn. before being sent to Washington, D.C.
“With the assistance of the American Red Cross and the National Guard, we’re going from house to house determining how many houses have been destroyed, how many houses are severely damaged and how many houses that have minor damage,” Vargo said.
Vargo said federal representatives have been in contact with President Donald Trump regarding the situation in Ohio County, and that the county would seek a federal disaster declaration.
A federal disaster declaration, if issued, would allow FEMA to provide public assistance to municipalities and individual assistance to residents who were impacted by the floods.
Wheeling Fire Chief Blazier implored people affected by the floods to fill out a survey detailing the damage caused to their homes, businesses and property.
“One of the first steps to get the ball rolling for assistance to our area is to fill out a disaster survey,” Blazier said. “By doing this, this establishes the need for our location and will move that relief process forward to the federal level.”
This is a developing story. If you are interested in donating supplies or volunteering, please consider one of these organizations.