Wheeling, West Virginia, battles back-to-back floods, grappling with the need for stronger flood defenses.
At a Glance
- Wheeling, West Virginia, was hit by major flash flooding on Saturday, the second such event in just 12 days.
- Intense rainfall caused several creeks to overflow, leading to significant road closures and multiple vehicle rescues.
- Wheeling’s police chief described an “unbelievable” amount of debris, including boats and sheds, being washed away.
- The recurrent flooding has exposed weaknesses in the region’s flood defenses and sparked calls for urgent improvements.
A Community Inundated Again
For the second time in less than two weeks, the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, has been inundated by severe flash flooding. Intense, stationary thunderstorms on Saturday, June 28, 2025, dumped massive amounts of rain on already saturated ground, causing several local creeks to surge out of their banks and sending a destructive torrent of water through the community.
Severe flooding in Wheeling, West Virginia last night….🚗🌊pic.twitter.com/HFuW2pj62o
— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) June 15, 2025
The event prompted a full-scale emergency response across Ohio County. Major thoroughfares like U.S. Route 40 (National Road) were completely submerged, cars were reported wedged under bridges, and residents in low-lying areas were advised to shelter in place.
An “Unbelievable” Debris Flow
The speed and power of the floodwaters shocked even seasoned officials. Wheeling Police Chief Phillip Stahl described the scene as chaotic and unprecedented. “The creeks rose pretty quickly,” Stahl told local news outlet WTRF. “There was a massive amount of debris, debris that most people have never seen in their lives.”
Flash flooding over the weekend in West Virginia killed at least seven people, including a three-year-old. Officials said 2.5-4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within a half hour. It was reported one river went from 3 to 10 feet in just an hour and a… pic.twitter.com/jIT7ne31kf
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) June 18, 2025
He recounted watching the water carry away large and heavy objects. “There were boats going down the creek, sheds, furniture, gas tanks, hot water tanks, and Connex boxes. It was a pretty unbelievable sight to see,” Stahl said.
A Call for Stronger Flood Defenses
The back-to-back floods have highlighted the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. The previous storm on June 16 had already revealed critical weaknesses in the area’s infrastructure and preparedness frameworks. This second disaster has amplified calls for an urgent re-evaluation of the town’s flood defense strategies.
As the community begins another difficult cleanup process, the pressure is mounting on local and state officials to invest in modernizing infrastructure and implementing more resilient water management solutions. The two floods serve as a powerful warning that without significant upgrades, the community remains at high risk from the increasingly frequent and severe storms shaping the region’s climate.
