All Accounted For As Floodwaters Recede In Southwestern VA

Updated, 12:35 p.m.

BUCHANAN COUNTY, VA — Forty-four people who were unaccounted for after floodwaters inundated parts of Buchanan County and destroyed more than 100 homes have been found, according to county authorities.

At a news conference Thursday, the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office confirmed contact had been made with 44 individuals who couldn't be reached by friends and loved ones after heavy rains hammered the area and prompted devastating flooding.

No fatalities have been reported, according to authorities.

RELATED: 40 Missing, More Than 100 Homes Damaged In Southwest VA Flooding

Floodwaters had mostly receded Thursday as more than a dozen agencies continued search and rescue efforts. Crews are working to remove debris and mud in order to re-open roadways.

The flooding occurred after the county received up to 6 inches of rain in some places Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, according to ABC 8.

The devastating event came less than a year after the remnants of Hurricane Ida unleashed torrential rain on Buchanan County. One person was killed in the 2021 flooding and more than 20 homes were damaged.

The damage prompted Gov. Glenn Youngkin to declare a state of emergency Wednesday, which means the state will assist by providing supplies and support to local authorities and relief agencies.

"We are deeply saddened to learn that another flood has impacted a community still recovering from last year's flood," Youngkin said in a statement. "In the wake of the devastation, I want Virginians in Buchanan County to know that we are making every resource available to help those impacted by this storm."

According to a release from the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office, the worst of the flooding was in the Dismal River Road area. Substantial damage was also reported in Patterson, Hale Creek, Pilgrim's Knob, Whitewood, Dismal River, and Jewell Valley, authorities said.