On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, six inches of rain dumped on Buchanan County in a matter of hours. The nearby Dismal River quickly swelled over and began to flood the houses on the bank. Cars, trailers, houses and sleeping people began to get swept away by a flash current of river water six feet high. Over 40 people were reported missing the next day as harrowing stories began to emerge from the destruction. One couple clung to the ceiling of their home as flood water attempted to pull them under, eventually able to claw a hole to their attic to safety. Another woman was awoken by her dog splashing water on her face. She and the dog were dragged into the river where she was able to grab a branch where she would stay the rest of the night, fighting to stay afloat. Her dog was found days later about a mile upstream from her home. Incredibly, all the missing were eventually accounted for with no casualties.
Armond Feffer/Richmond Times-Dispatch
Josh Calton climbs over branches in his brother-in-law’s home that was...READ ON
Josh Calton climbs over branches in his brother-in-law’s home that was damaged by torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
Amber Mosley looks through a damaged window in her brother’s home that...READ ON
Amber Mosley looks through a damaged window in her brother’s home that was damaged by torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
A car sits half-submerged in mud from torrential flooding the night before on...READ ON
A car sits half-submerged in mud from torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
A volunteer trudges through a living room that was damaged by torrential...READ ON
A volunteer trudges through a living room that was damaged by torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
Colton Mosley, 6, picks up salvaged materials in his uncle’s home that...READ ON
Colton Mosley, 6, picks up salvaged materials in his uncle’s home that was damaged by torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
A house sits horseshoed around a tree after torrential flooding the night...READ ON
A house sits horseshoed around a tree after torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
Children play in the damaged foundation of a home after torrential flooding...READ ON
Children play in the damaged foundation of a home after torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
Whitney Cochran helps her daughter Alayna, 5, down from her grandma’s...READ ON
Whitney Cochran helps her daughter Alayna, 5, down from her grandma’s home that was damaged by torrential flooding from the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
Amber Mosley and her son Colton, 6, wait for salvaged toys to be passed...READ ON
Amber Mosley and her son Colton, 6, wait for salvaged toys to be passed through a broken window of her brother’s home that was damaged by torrential flooding the night before on Thursday, July 14, 2022, in Buchanan County, Va. USA
On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, six inches of rain dumped on Buchanan County in a matter of hours. The nearby Dismal River quickly swelled over and began to flood the houses on the bank. Cars, trailers, houses and sleeping people began to get swept away by a f...