A remote pocket of Southwest Virginia experienced flooding this week, damaging homes and leaving dozens of people unaccounted for. According to authorities, there are no confirmed deaths or injuries.
First responders began receiving reports of rising water Tuesday night, and after daybreak, crews examined the disaster with aerial surveys. Multiple communities were impacted, according to Associated Press.
Around 44 people were reported unaccounted for, but that number has decreased to 17. Buchanan County Sheriff John McClanahan told the Press that crews from state and local agencies worked around the clock to locate residents, and they have made contact with 27 people, leaving 17 people unaccounted for.
County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Eric Breeding says the number of people unaccounted for is based on relatives trying to contact a resident in an area where they may not have phone service. He told reporters, “It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are in trouble or in danger. They’re just letting us know that we need to check on these people.”
The county is working with the Virginia Department of Transportation crews to assess damages to homes.
Update: all people have been accounted for.
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Story via Associated Press
