WEST VIRGINIA — Heartbreak Across the Ohio Valley as Deadly Flooding Claims Multiple Lives in Triadelphia and Moundsville

WEST VIRGINIA — Heartbreak Across the Ohio Valley as Deadly Flooding Claims Multiple Lives in Triadelphia and Moundsville

June 16, 2025 | WEST VIRGINIA — In a tragedy that has stunned and devastated communities across the Ohio Valley, severe flash flooding struck parts of Triadelphia and Moundsville, West Virginia, late Sunday and into the early hours of Monday, claiming the lives of six residents, including a young child. Local officials describe the flooding as among the worst natural disasters the region has faced in recent memory.

In Triadelphia, five lives were lost as swollen creeks turned roadways into rivers and swept away homes, vehicles, and everything in their path. The Ohio County Emergency Management Agency confirmed the names of the victims in a statement issued early Monday afternoon:

• Travis Creighton, 19
• Lisa McMasters, 59
• Kyleigh Shotton, 26
• Parker Shotton, 3 (daughter of Kyleigh Shotton)
• Michael Bankovich, 73

In neighboring Moundsville, another life was lost when 74-year-old Michael Veronis was caught in rising floodwaters that overwhelmed his neighborhood. He was found early Monday morning by search crews near a heavily inundated area off 8th Street.

A Night of Terror

The flooding began after an intense and unrelenting thunderstorm system dumped upwards of six inches of rain in just a few hours, overwhelming the terrain, culverts, and already-saturated ground. Water levels rose with alarming speed, leaving residents with little time to escape. Emergency responders were dispatched across the area, but even their efforts were hindered by the sheer force and speed of the floodwaters.

Rescue teams, including the West Virginia National Guard, worked tirelessly through the night and into the morning to reach stranded residents. Dozens of people were pulled from rooftops, vehicles, and tree lines. But despite their efforts, not all could be saved.

“It happened so fast,” said Triadelphia resident Carolyn Wexler, who lost a neighbor and close friend in the flood. “Within minutes, the creek behind our homes turned into a wall of water. It ripped through everything like it was paper.”

Remembering the Victims

Travis Creighton, 19, was a recent high school graduate and an aspiring mechanic. His family described him as kindhearted, eager to help others, and always full of laughter. He was reportedly driving home from work when his car was overtaken by floodwaters near Valley Grove Road.

Lisa McMasters, 59, was a beloved school secretary known for her warmth and tireless support for students in the Ohio County School District. She died while trying to assist an elderly neighbor as the water swept through their mobile home park.

Kyleigh Shotton, 26, and her 3-year-old daughter, Parker, were found together in the aftermath of the flood. The young mother was described by friends as resilient and devoted, working multiple jobs to support her little girl. The pair were reportedly trapped in their basement apartment and unable to escape in time.

Michael Bankovich, 73, a retired coal miner and U.S. Army veteran, had lived in Triadelphia his entire life. He died attempting to reach a neighbor’s home to help them evacuate.

In Moundsville, Michael Veronis, 74, was remembered as a quiet but kind soul who had lived alone since his wife passed away last year. He was found outside his home, where he had reportedly gone out to check on neighbors but was swept away by a sudden surge of water.

A Community in Mourning

As the waters recede, the full scope of the devastation is becoming clearer. Dozens of homes have been severely damaged or destroyed, roads have been washed out, and utility lines remain down. A state of emergency has been declared in both Ohio and Marshall Counties, and relief efforts are underway with assistance from FEMA and local nonprofit organizations.

Grief-stricken residents have begun organizing vigils and donation drives. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for Wednesday night in Triadelphia’s town square, where photos of the victims have been placed under white tents surrounded by flowers, candles, and handwritten messages of love and remembrance.

West Virginia Governor Elaine Ferguson visited the area Monday morning and addressed the public, saying, “The pain we’re feeling today as a state is indescribable. These are not just names or statistics — these were members of our community, our family, our neighbors. We will remember them, and we will rebuild.”

Ongoing Recovery and Support

Emergency shelters have been set up in local schools and churches for those displaced by the floods. Mental health counselors are being made available to help residents cope with the trauma, especially families who have lost loved ones.

Meanwhile, volunteers from across the state have poured into the affected towns, offering meals, clean-up assistance, and hope.

Donations can be made to the West Virginia Flood Recovery Fund, and local officials are urging people to stay off affected roadways as recovery crews continue their work.

Though West Virginia is no stranger to flooding, the scope of this particular tragedy has left a permanent scar on the hearts of those in Triadelphia and Moundsville. The names of Travis, Lisa, Kyleigh, Parker, Michael Bankovich, and Michael Veronis will long be remembered, not just for how they died, but for how they lived — as beloved members of a community that now holds their memory close through the heartbreak.