Heavy Rain — Ritchie, West Virginia

1996-02-08 · near 2ne Petroleum, Ritchie, West Virginia

Wider weather episode

A tragedy unfolded on a family farm along Goose Creek, thatdevastated a close-knit rural community. A 67 year oldgrandfather crossed his concrete low water bridge just aftersunset in a pickup truck. He was getting his 17 year oldgranddaughter from her home, so he could take her to his house on the other side of the creek. Goose Creek had swollen about 6feet above normal from recent snowmelt and an increasing late afternoon rain. The creek was also filled with large chunks of ice, but still mainly within its banks. At the grandparent's house, the teenager would be able to attend school the next morning, even if the creek was still high. While returning across the flooded low water bridge, the truck turned sideways then ended up on its side in the creek.Both occupants escaped the truck, but the female was sweptinto the ice filled creek. The grandfather immediately lungedfor her and disappeared. The scene was witnessed by the mother of the teenager, who was also the man's daugther.She alerted the 41 year old father and the 19 year old brotherof the girl. The mother returned home to fetch a rope, but whenshe returned the 2 men were gone. Apparently, the 2 men saw one or both of their relatives and went in trying to save them. They never returned.A spokeman for the Ritchie County sheriff said the 2 men knew it was dangerous, but they gave it their best short. He went on to say, that you can not second-guess someone in that situation, not when they're trying to save a loved one's life. An extensive search was conducted by many volunteers, including help from adjacent counties and from across the Ohio River in Ohio.The bodies of the female teenager, her grandfather, and herbrother were found the next day. The father's body was notfound for several days.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5547696. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.