BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office has confirmed two flood-related deaths in Upshur County.
The bodies were recovered Thursday afternoon. The state police and National Guard and local authorities worked together to reach a submerged vehicle.
“We are aware of at least two people who are unaccounted for,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said at a Thursday morning briefing in Buckhannon.
Morrisey said the recovery was very difficult.
“A lot of effort is being put in right now to get to that particular place,” Morrisey said, who did not specify exactly where the car was located.
State Adjutant General Jim Seward said later Thursday on MetroNews Midday the area was “incredibly difficult to get to.”
“I think we’ve made great success today,” Seward said.
Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner did say in a Facebook post Thursday night at the car was found along Stonecoal Lake Road.
Governor Morrisey offers flood update. https://t.co/G8YIJ8DCH3
— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) July 23, 2026
Debris pick-up begins
Seward said there are a total of 500 Guard members in North Central West Virginia. Many of them will be assigned debris pick-up duty. Those efforts were just beginning Thursday.
“We’ll continue that effort probably over the next 10 to 14 days,” Seward said at the briefing. “So make sure that debris gets out to the right-of-way quickly and we’ll get that picked up.”
Seward said the Guard was transitioning its rescue equipment.
“We’ll be bringing in more equipment for debris removal over the next few days,” Seward said.
Buckhannon starts to clean-up
Skinner said the water is gone and now what he described as more silt than mud is left behind.
“We’ve got so much clean-up to do,” Skinner said during an appearance on MetroNews Midday.
Skinner said he’s concerned about business owners and residents who took on water.
“Especially, if you are a business owner you start to wonder if you are going to be able to recover from this,” Skinner said. “If you’re a homeowner you wonder it’s just like ‘can I afford to replenish my home?'”
Skinner said many of those who had damage don’t live in what’s considered as a flood zone so they have no flood insurance.
Damage Assessment Reports important
Morrisey said it’s important for impacted residents to fill out damage reports with the state. He said that will help in the state’s efforts to gain federal disaster assistance.
The surveys can be accessed here.