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Devastating Floods Leave 20 Dead In West Virginia

Devastating Floods Leave 20 Dead In West Virginia
Maynard Tanner, 65, eats a snack on a damaged bridge as part of a mobile home that floated down Jordan Creek rests behind him after flooding in Falling Rock, West Virginia, U.S., June 26, 2016. REUTERS/Marcus Constantino
Marcus Constantino / Reuters
Maynard Tanner, 65, eats a snack on a damaged bridge as part of a mobile home that floated down Jordan Creek rests behind him after flooding in Falling Rock, West Virginia, U.S., June 26, 2016. REUTERS/Marcus Constantino

At least 23 people have died from flood waters that swept through West Virginia Thursday night, including two young children, state officials said.

Edward McMillion, 4, was swept away by flood waters Thursday night in Ravenswood, WCHS reported. His body was discovered Friday morning. In Wheeling, 8-year-old Emanuel Williams died after falling in a creek with rushing water Thursday afternoon, The Intelligencer reported.

At least 21 other people also have been confirmed dead in the floods, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management said in a statement Friday night. Officials scheduled a news conference Saturday to give "additional details regarding ongoing response and rescue efforts."

Some areas have seen up to nine inches of rain and Greenbrier River was expected to crest at 22 feet Friday.

Maynard Tanner, 65, eats a snack on a damaged bridge as part of a mobile home that floated down Jordan Creek rests behind him after flooding in Falling Rock, West Virginia, U.S., June 26, 2016. REUTERS/Marcus Constantino
Marcus Constantino / Reuters
Maynard Tanner, 65, eats a snack on a damaged bridge as part of a mobile home that floated down Jordan Creek rests behind him after flooding in Falling Rock, West Virginia, U.S., June 26, 2016. REUTERS/Marcus Constantino

An emergency responder in Botetourt County, Virginia, near the West Virginia border, was injured in a rescue operation, according to WSLS. He is in critical but stable condition. Two other emergency responders were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

The rain died down Friday morning, but not before leaving a path of destruction in its wake and hundreds of thousands of people without power.

Dozens of people have been rescued, and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) has declared a state of emergency in 44 counties, according to ABC News.

Some areas are "probably looking at flooding that's going to be the worst in 100 years," Tomblin's spokesman, Chris Stadelman, told the station.

The Old White TPC, a golf course expected to host a PGA Tour stop on July 7, is completely submerged.

Donations for flood relief in the area can be made to United Way of Greenbrier Valley.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this post misstated the names of The Old White TPC golf course (as "Greenbrier Valley") and WSLS. Language has also been updated to clarify that Botetourt County is in Virginia, rather than West Virginia.

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