At least 14 people, including children, have died in floods stemming from heavy rainfall in the US state of West Virginia, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin said at a Friday news conference, dpa reported. A low pressure system has drenched the area since Thursday, leading to massive flooding and landslides. Tomblin announced a state of emergency and said it could be the worst flooding the state has seen in 100 years. Streets and railroad tracks were destroyed and bridges washed away in the mountainous state. Tens of thousands of residents remain without electricity while 500 people were reportedly stranded at a mall. Television images portrayed raging rivers of water moving through towns, in one case carrying a burning house that had been ripped from its foundation. Many people remain missing, as the bad weather was forecasted to remain through Friday.
