Authorities Identify Six Who Died in Saturday Flooding in Ohio County, Three Still Missing

WHEELING - Officials on Monday released the names of six victims who lost their lives in the deadly flash flooding in the Triadelphia and Wheeling areas Saturday night.

Officials with the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, Ohio County Sheriff’s Office, Wheeling Police Department and Wheeling Fire Department held a press conference Monday afternoon to update the public on the recovery effort that continues in full force in the wake of this weekend’s devastating floods.

Officials said the identified individuals who died in the flood and who have been recovered so far were: Michael Veronis, 74, of Moundsville; Lisa McMasters, 59, of Triadelphia; Michael Bokanovich, 73, of Triadelphia; Kyleigh Minch Shotton, 26, and her 3-year-old daughter, Parker Shotton, 3, both of Triadelphia; and Travis Creighton, 19, of Triadelphia.

"We ask for your respect and compassion for these families as they grieve,” said Chief Deputy Kent Lewis of the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office. “Out of respect for their privacy, no further details will be released at this time in regards to them. We have three people still unaccounted for that we are still actively searching for."

Recovery efforts resumed at 8:30 a.m. Monday, in the Elm Grove, Triadelphia and Valley Grove areas by various fire departments and law enforcement agencies. Crews will be assessing homes, Little Wheeling Creek and Big Wheeling Creek.

Officials urged sightseers to avoid the disaster areas along National Road in these affected communities as the additional traffic is delaying ongoing recovery efforts.

Appalachian Power is working to restore power to roughly 1,700 homes in the Triadelphia and Valley Grove area. Several utility poles were damaged, as well as a substation. Information on the restoration efforts can be found at AppalachianPower.com.

Report flood damage to the WV Emergency Management Division at emd.wv.gov/disastersurvey.

Flood supplies and distribution locations at the rear entrance of 25 Armory Drive in Wheeling and at Gunrty on 45 Caliber Drive in The Highlands, Triadelphia will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Those impacted by flooding can pick up various supplies - water, cleaning supplies, non-perishable food, paper products, clothes, animal food, etc. - at two locations.

Note: Riesbeck’s parking lot is not a distribution center location.

If anyone has a concern related to the smell of natural gas, residents and business owners are asked to call the Mountaineer Gas emergency line at 800-834-2070.

Tetnus shots will be distributed at two locations will resume on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No registration is required. Proof of a West Virginia residency is needed. The health department can be reached at 304-234-3682.

For questions about volunteering, making donations or dropping off supplies, call 304-234-7109.

For missing persons or flooding questions, call 304-234-3756.