When The Waters Rose In The West Virginia Hills

hen you think of West Virginia, what do you see? I see glorious rolling mountains, lush vegetation, rivers running north, and people who have kept a strong sense of identity rooted in the mountaineer settlers who made their lives in the rugged wilderness. Life in the mountains is not always easy, whether in small towns or larger communities. The winding roads, steep hill climbs, and sudden weather changes are part of everyday life.

From the middle of a municipality to the capital city, there is almost always a road that, within minutes, leads to a place where birds are louder than the road noise and the smell of dirt fills the air. A fishing pole, a lawn chair, and a cooler are all that is needed for entertainment when the weather is right. It is also nearly guaranteed that somewhere along the way, there will be no bars on your smartphone.

The storms that abruptly interrupted that way of life occurred on July 21, 2026, when about 7 inches of rain fell across Lewis and Upshur counties. That amount of rain on those beautiful West Virginia hills caused devastating flooding.

Small ditches and waterways turned into raging streams within minutes as drainage systems—some nonexistent because the area had not flooded before—were overwhelmed. Without warning, people were stranded in parking lots, main roads and back roads were cut off, and drivers searched for a route home, only to be turned around by high water.

Others watched as their homes, apartments, and businesses were quickly overtaken by water. For some, getting to higher ground with just what they had on was the only option. The damage was staggering, and two people lost their lives.

These people, who still believe in taking care of their neighbors, weathered the storm with strength and resilience.

Now, after the hard work of cleanup, many are deciding whether to rebuild or relocate. There have been a few unfortunate incidents; however, both counties have banded together in cleanup efforts, and organizations have vowed to remain through the rebuilding—not only to restore material things but also to preserve the moral fortitude and strong sense of community that West Virginians know well. It is their strong spirit of faith and hope that remains, and a motto that they choose to remember: a Mountaineer is always free.

For the most up-to-date recovery information, visit the City of Buckhannon or City of Weston Facebook pages.

Thank you to all the volunteers, all the emergency services personnel, businesses, and government agencies that immediately sprang into action and have vowed to stay until the rebuilding is complete. We continue to pray for them, for Lewis and Upshur counties, for the 1,000’s of people without homes, for the families of those who perished, and for the entire state of West Virginia. May those West Virginia hills stay majestic and grand, with summits bathed in glory, like our Prince Emmanuel’s land. And may I always think of my happy home among my friends in those West Virginia hills.

Blessings and honor,

Angela Errett