Death Toll Lowered after Two Men Found Alive in West Virginia Floods

WEST VIRGINIA -- At least 23 people are dead and several still missing after severe flash floods hit rural areas of West Virginia over the weekend. And more heavy rain is on the way.

Rescue crews are still searching the wreckage and Operation Blessing is sending truckloads of supplies to help those in need.

Historic rainstorms began pounding West Virginia late last week, causing flash flooding worse than anyone can remember. More than 10 inches of rain in just a few hours caught many unawares and washed away cars, homes, and more than two dozen people.

Today West Virginia officials lowered the death toll after two men who were presumed dead were found alive. The two men were thought to have been swept away in a camper, but had evacuated the campsite before the flood hit.

The discovery lowers the death toll to 23. That includes 20 bodies found and three people missing who are presumed dead.

James Mitchell is a chaplain with the West Virginia State Police.

"Such a large amount of rain in such a short amount of time, it hits and flows down into these creek beds and people are built right along the creek beds, and they just go outside of their banks and it causes a great amount of destruction," Mitchell told CBN News.

"We have families who have lost children, children who have lost parents, and it's just a real tragedy," he said. "Ongoing search and rescue mode at this point even. It's required the governor to declare a state of emergency over 44 counties throughout the state of West Virginia."

Federal disaster relief was approved for three of the hardest hit counties and the governor has mobilized 500 National Guard troops to help with the cleanup, but the communities and churches in the surrounding areas are already answering the call to help.

"We have received calls all day long from people that are volunteering, church groups that are organizing," Mitchell said. "I've seen and read messages all day from one church to another, collecting materials, ready to mobilize and go out and to help people clean up their houses, their businesses, whatever it takes.  And so churches are really stepping forward at this point."

Operation Blessing's Hunger Task Force is responding with two semi-trailers loaded with food and relief supplies to help meet the long-term needs created by this disaster.

Meanwhile, residents will be keeping a wary eye on the sky, as more rain is forecast for this week.