A 911 caller said the 12-year-old boy “was swept away by rushing water that had overtaken the roadway from a nearby creek,” authorities said
Authorities say the body of a 12-year-old boy who was swept away has likely been found and about 200 people were rescued from one school as flash flooding continues to impact the East Coast.
Heavy rain sparked flash flooding on Tuesday, May 13, in portions of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to CBS News and NBC News. (Flash flood warnings were also reported in West Virginia and North Carolina.)
In Albemarle County, Va., a 12-year-old boy was reported missing on Tuesday after a 911 caller said “he was swept away by rushing water that had overtaken the roadway from a nearby creek” while walking outside, the county’s fire rescue said in a statement.
Crews spent more than three hours searching for the boy in the waters near Newtown Road and Valley Green Drive but paused the search “due to limited visibility in the overnight hours and the safety of all those involved.”
On Wednesday, May 14, the department said authorities found a body “believed to be missing 12-year-old Jordan Sims.” They added, “At this time, search efforts have concluded. The body recovered will be transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond for positive identification.”
“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our hearts are with the Sims’ family and loved ones,” said Albemarle County Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. “We are incredibly grateful to our local and regional partners who supported this search effort with urgency, professionalism, and care.”
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Meanwhile, in Allegany County, Md., 15 boats were used to rescue an estimated 150 students and 50 adults from Westernport Elementary School, according to the Associated Press and CNN.
Aaron Stallings told the AP that he could not reach the school by car, so he waded through shin-deep water to reach his sister, who was at the school. He said he found those trapped at the school on the second and third floors.
Stallings eventually found his sister and carried her out of the school before filming the floodwaters, which had engulfed parked cars and a dumpster.
Officials with the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services announced that all students and staff were “safely evacuated” from the school.
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Alley Wade, a mom of 8-year-old and 10-year-old students at Westernport Elementary School, told CNN she was eventually reunited with her sons at a local church.
“I’m just happy to be alive,” said her eldest son, William Wade, CBS affiliate KDKA reported.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Mineral County amid the ongoing flooding.
Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland warned residents on Wednesday to “stay vigilant and exercise extreme caution” as the flooding continues.
“We remain in close contact with local officials and continue to coordinate resources as the rain continues to fall,” Moore said. ”I urge all Marylanders to remain vigilant, heed warnings from local officials, and prioritize safety during this time. If you don’t have to go out, please do not go out. Stay off the roads if possible and heed any evacuation orders.”
