Authorities in a remote corner of southwest Virginia have located more than half of the 44 people who were reported unaccounted for after devastating flooding washed out roadways and damaged more than 100 homes.
APTOPIX_Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_67909 A truck sits on the edge over a river, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., after being swept away in a flash flood . Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
APTOPIX_Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_46973 A house that was moved off of its foundation following a flash flood rests on top of a vehicle, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
APTOPIX_Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_23304 Chairs and pews sink down in mud inside Baptist Bible Church, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_59966 Damaged vehicles rest under debris, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_51008 Water and mud build up in the parking lot of the Whitewood Community Center,, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_12861 A driveway to a house sits collapsed in a river, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_39231 A water line marks the facade of Baptist Bible Church, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_34534 Courtney Cole, who has family in the area, walks down a washed out section of Dismal River Road, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_72114 A thick layer of mud was left behind, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_16081 A car sinks down into the ground, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., after being swept away in a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_29309 Volunteer Cody Dales prepares donated flashlights in the auditorium of Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Oakwood, Va., following a flash flood. The school is being used as an emergency shelter and reunification center to those affected. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_78396 A wooden deck rests on top of a vehicle, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_65450 A house that was moved off of its foundation rests among debris and mud, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_31213 Volunteer Adam Keen loads donated supplies into an affected person's truck at Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Oakwood, Va., following a flash flood. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_26098 A collapsed bridged sits in the river, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_69723 Danny Byrd loads donated supplies into his car at Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Oakwood, Va., following a flash flood. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_77620 Debris builds up against a bridge, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_84691 A truck sits on the edge over a river, Thursday, July 14, 2022 in Whitewood, Va., after being swept away in a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
AP Photo/Michael Clubb
Southwest_Virginia_Flooding_50268 Chairs and pews sink down in mud inside Baptist Bible Church, Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Whitewood, Va., following a flash flood. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to aid in the rescue and recovery efforts from Tuesday's floodwaters. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
GRUNDY, Va. (AP) — Rains that swiftly flooded a remote corner of southwest Virginia washed out roads, tore homes from their foundations and left people scrambling to find loved ones in areas where phone service was knocked out completely.
Authorities feared the worst Wednesday as they were inundated with calls from people who said they were unable to reach family members, leaving a total of 44 people unaccounted for, said Billy Chrimes, a search and rescue specialist with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. But by noon Thursday, everyone had been located.
“We walk into it as a worst case scenario. We plan for the worst, we hope for the best, and once again, that’s been the case,” Chrimes said.
First responders in Buchanan County began receiving reports of rising water and damage Tuesday night after a torrential rainstorm swamped the mountainous area. Several communities in the Virginia county that borders West Virginia and Kentucky were affected.
Residents said they were stunned by the dramatic flooding, which caused mudslides that blocked roads, knocked out power and left many people without phone service.
“We gathered at my house and we said if it got any higher that we were just going to start heading up in the mountains to try to get safe, but luckily, thank God, we didn’t have to,” Deana Kimbrough told WCYB-TV.
Seth Owens told the station he was among people who sought refuge at a post office and witnessed houses washing away.
“The next thing you know, the house is floating on down through there. … Two of the houses washed off,” he said.
In Whitewood, an unincorporated community with a population of about 500, mud left from the flooding was 1 to 2 feet deep in some places. At least one bridge had collapsed, and one home appeared to have been pulled from its foundation and carried across the street.
Authorities said only one injury was reported, and that was a snake bite. Three roads were closed Thursday, including Route 715, which was expected to remain closed indefinitely because of a bridge that was damaged by the flooding.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin plans to travel to Buchanan County on Friday to meet with families and first responders, and to tour areas affected by the flooding. Youngkin has declared a state of emergency to aid with the response and recovery efforts.
Chrimes said one of the biggest challenges for rescue crews was the large geographic area that was affected. He said crews searched 30 miles (48 kilometers) and more than 400 structures.
“We’ve seen everything from the landslides to just flooded roads, where the road‘s been completely washed away, and so that’s presented challenges with getting our teams in and making access,” he said.
“We have the mountains, not a lot of place for the water to go.”
Sheriff John McClanahan said the floodwaters were receding and the county is working with the Virginia Department of Transportation crews to assess damages to homes and to remove debris and mud from the roadways to get them reopened.
Buchanan County also suffered serious flood damage last year, when the remnants of a hurricane hit the area in August, washing away homes and leaving one person dead. This week’s flooding was less severe but more widespread, authorities said.
