Additional Coverage:
Mid-Atlantic Flash Floods Claim Young Life, Force Evacuations
Tragedy struck amidst torrential downpours this week as flash floods ravaged parts of Virginia, western Maryland, and Pennsylvania. A 12-year-old boy lost his life in Virginia, and several Maryland elementary schools were forced to evacuate.
Search and rescue teams recovered the body believed to be that of Jordan Sims Wednesday morning in Albemarle County, Virginia. The official identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond.
Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston expressed his condolences to the Sims family, acknowledging the heartbreaking outcome. The search for Jordan began Tuesday afternoon after reports of a boy being swept away by floodwaters, but was temporarily suspended overnight due to poor visibility.
In Meyersdale, Pennsylvania, floodwaters inundated homes and businesses, leaving parts of the town submerged. Mayor Shane Smith declared a state of emergency, describing the situation as some of the worst flooding the town has ever witnessed.
While thankfully no injuries were reported, both state and federal emergency management personnel are en route to assist with the recovery efforts. Several southern Pennsylvania towns have issued disaster declarations.
Somerset County, bordering Maryland, remains under a flood watch after receiving up to five inches of rain.
Across the border in Western Maryland, floodwaters began to recede Wednesday morning. However, the area is still grappling with the aftermath, with road closures and limited transportation due to debris and washouts. Earlier this week, an elementary school was evacuated and a middle school sheltered in place as the North Branch Potomac River overflowed.
Dramatic scenes unfolded at Westernport Elementary School, where approximately 150 students and 50 adults required evacuation. Among those rescued were brothers William and Quinton Wade, who described the rapidly rising water levels reaching the ceiling of the first floor.
Their mother, Alley Wade, recounted the frantic rush to the school and the relief of seeing her children brought to safety. This event marked the most severe flooding she had witnessed in her lifetime.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore urged residents to remain vigilant, heed warnings from local officials, and avoid unnecessary travel. He confirmed that state officials are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating resources.
Allegany County experienced over 4.65 inches of rain in a 24-hour period, with more rain anticipated. The North Branch Potomac River crested at a height not seen since 1996.
These devastating floods follow a recent climate study which concluded that human-caused climate change intensified the deadly storms that swept through eight states earlier this year. The study indicated that global warming increased the rainfall from these storms by approximately 9%.