Severe flash floods this week have struck communities in West Virginia, Texas and other parts of the United States, following intense storms that dropped up to seven inches of rain in just a few hours in north central West Virginia on Tuesday and Wednesday. Officials compared the event to the Election Day floods of November 1985. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency and deployed more than 300 National Guard members, while emergency workers conducted at least 85 water rescues. Two deaths have been confirmed, with additional people unaccounted for and widespread damage to roads, bridges and housing.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.