Fact Check: "Between 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County, West Virginia, within about half an hour on June 15, 2025."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, significant flash flooding occurred in Wheeling and Ohio County, West Virginia, resulting in multiple fatalities and extensive damage. According to reports, between 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County within approximately 30 minutes on the night of June 14, 2025. This information was confirmed by Louis Vargo, the director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, who cited estimates from the National Weather Service during a press conference (New York Times, AP News, CBS News).
The severe weather led to at least five confirmed deaths and three individuals reported missing, as emergency services struggled to respond to numerous rescue calls due to the rapid onset of flooding (CNN, WESA).
Analysis
The claim that 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in Wheeling and Ohio County within about half an hour is supported by multiple credible sources. Louis Vargo's statement, backed by his extensive experience in emergency management, adds reliability to the report. The National Weather Service is a reputable authority on weather-related data, and their estimates were directly referenced by local officials (New York Times, AP News).
The reports from various news outlets, including the Associated Press and CNN, corroborate the rainfall figures and the resulting emergency conditions, indicating a consensus among journalists and officials regarding the severity of the weather event. The consistency of the information across these sources enhances its credibility.
However, it is important to note that the situation was dynamic, with ongoing rescue operations and assessments of damage. The figures provided reflect the initial estimates during a rapidly evolving crisis, which may be subject to revision as more data becomes available.
Conclusion
The claim that between 2.5 to 4 inches of rain fell in parts of Wheeling and Ohio County, West Virginia, within about half an hour on June 15, 2025, is True. This conclusion is based on reliable statements from local emergency management officials and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources reporting on the flash flooding event.
Sources
- At Least 5 Dead and 3 Missing in West Virginia Flash Flooding
- 3 dead in West Virginia flash flooding as storm dumps up to 4 inches of ...
- Flash floods kill 3 in West Virginia, several people missing after ...
- Flash flooding kills 5 in West Virginia, rescue teams search for missing people - WESA
- West Virginia flooding leaves 5 dead as search efforts continue in ...
