On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, six inches of rain dumped on Buchanan County in a matter of hours. The nearby Dismal River quickly swelled over and began to flood the houses on the bank. Cars, trailers, houses and sleeping people began to get swept away by a flash current of river water six feet high. Over 40 people were reported missing the next day as harrowing stories began to emerge from the destruction. One couple clung to the ceiling of their home as flood water attempted to pull them under, eventually able to claw a hole to their attic to safety. Another woman was awoken by her dog splashing water on her face. She and the dog were dragged into the river where she was able to grab a branch where she would stay the rest of the night, fighting to stay afloat. Her dog was found days later about a mile upstream from her home. Incredibly, all the missing were eventually accounted for with no casualties.
Armond Feffer/Richmond Times-Dispatch
