No deaths were reported from the flooding in Buchanan County, Virginia, but one person was injured by a snake bite, Buchanan County Sheriff Eric Breeding said during a news conference Thursday. A few search operations are continuing to make sure no one else is missing or injured, said Billy Crimes, a search and rescue specialist with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Flash floods swept away more than 100 homes Tuesday—devastating the community in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. “Well, it’s just mudslides, trees and the road. The water was in the road and the houses were in the road, and it’s just a mess,” Buchanan County resident Archie White told CBS News. Overnight storms caused landslides and debris to block roads and completely wash away bridges. Officials with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management said downed power lines and downed cell phone towers are making it difficult to contact dozens of people missing. “As they go back to the shelter, we’re going to have a reunion and we’re going to be able to check that box, where they’ve been living, you know, and they’re basically going door to door and we’re going to figure them out,” the Virginia department said. Emergency Management Search and Rescue specialist Billy Chrimes said. Due to widespread power outages, about 3,700 homes are without power, according to Appalachian Power. This area is no stranger to recent severe weather events. Last August, the remnants of Hurricane Ida washed away homes and killed one person. Less than a year later, residents say they’ve been hit again. “Everything was gone. I mean small communities here, people lost everything and it’s sad,” said one resident. As power and cellphone service are restored, officials expect the number of missing residents to decrease. The sheriff’s office has set up a hotline for residents to add names to the search list. That number is 1-833-748-1424.
