CHARLESTON, W.Va. – At least 20 people have died from flooding in West Virginia, and officials fear that number will continue to climb.
Earlier Friday, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin told a news conference that at least 14 people had died.
Water rescue teams are searching devastated parts of West Virginia Friday afternoon after a storm system dumped 9 inches of rain the state.
Waters quickly rose after the storms rolled in Thursday morning, flooding roads and bridges and stranding people on rooftops.
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin says 14 people have died during devastating flooding in the state. The victims include 8-year-old and 4-year-old boys who were swept away in different counties.
Tomblin made the announcement Friday during a news conference. He says the damage is widespread and devastating. The governor said search and rescue missions are still a top priority.
The storm system trapped 500 people in a shopping center when a bridge washed out. Dozens of other people had to be plucked off rooftops or rescued as waters quickly rose during the deluge.
