Fact Check: "West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed that four residents were missing due to the flooding on June 15, 2025."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, severe flash flooding occurred in Ohio County, West Virginia, leading to a state of emergency declared by Governor Patrick Morrisey. The flooding resulted in significant damage, with reports indicating that at least three people died and several others were reported missing (source-2, source-3). Louis Vargo, the director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, mentioned during a press conference that there were "four or five people reported missing," but he noted that some of these individuals might not have been reachable due to cell service issues (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that "four residents were missing" is partially substantiated. While Louis Vargo did mention that there were reports of "four or five people" missing, he also indicated that this number could be inaccurate due to potential communication issues, such as people not having their cellphones turned on or experiencing service disruptions (source-2). This uncertainty suggests that while there were concerns about missing individuals, the exact number was not confirmed.
Furthermore, the situation was evolving, with ongoing rescue operations and additional rain expected, which could complicate the search for missing persons (source-3). The reports from various news outlets, including the New York Times and the Associated Press, provide a reliable context for understanding the situation, as they are reputable sources with journalistic standards.
Conclusion
The claim that Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed that four residents were missing due to the flooding is Partially True. While there were reports of four or five individuals being missing, this was not definitively confirmed, and the situation was fluid, with potential communication issues affecting the accuracy of the reports. Therefore, the claim reflects a momentary snapshot of an ongoing emergency rather than a confirmed fact.
Sources
- Governor Patrick Morrisey Declares State of Emergency in Ohio County
- West Virginia Flash Flooding Kills at Least 3
- 3 dead in West Virginia flash flooding as storm dumps up to 4 inches of ...
- A 3-year-old child among four confirmed dead in Ohio County, W.Va ...
- Flash floods kill 3 in West Virginia, several people missing after ...
- WATCH LIVE: West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey gives flood ...
- 美国各州名称及缩写 - 百度知道
- West Virginia Gov. Morrisey declares state of emergency for Ohio County ...