After heavy rains in the US state of West Virginia, 23 people have died, according to Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. A devastating low led to landslides, floods and mudslides. It’s possibly the worst flood in the state in 100 years, Tomblin said. Children are among the dead. Several people are still missing.
Governor declares state of emergency
US television showed images of raging rivers, vehicles drifting through towns and villages. Around 66,000 houses were without electricity or gas on Friday, and numerous roads were impassable due to fallen trees. Some areas of the mountainous state in the Appalachian Mountains are cut off from the outside world. The governor declared West Virginia a state of emergency and requested 500 National Guard members to assist. 17 emergency shelters have been set up.
Two dead in forest fires
According to the fire department, two people died in forest fires in California. The fire broke out east of the city of Bakersfield. The flames have so far destroyed around 7,700 hectares of forest and bush land. Around 100 buildings were destroyed. Around 125 people were housed in an emergency shelter following they had to leave their homes.
California has been suffering from a record drought for five years. Trees and bushes have withered and burst into flames at the slightest spark. A heat wave that has been going on since the beginning of the week with temperatures of 40 degrees and more further exacerbates the risk of forest fires.
In total, more than 15 large forest and bush fires are currently raging in the USA, most of them in the southwest of the country. At least five people fell victim to the extreme heat wave there at the beginning of the week, including two German hikers.
wl/se (dpa, rtr)
