Severe weather swept across parts of the Mid-Atlantic this week, bringing flash floods, evacuations, and heartbreaking tragedy. In Virginia, the body of a 12-year-old boy, believed to be Jordan Sims, was found Wednesday morning after he was swept away by rushing water during a sudden downpour the night before.
Jordan was walking near a roadway in Albemarle County when fast-moving waters from a nearby creek overtook the area. A 911 call reported the incident Tuesday night, prompting a large-scale search.
His body was found around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to Albemarle County Fire Rescue officials. The remains will be sent to the Richmond medical examiner’s office for formal identification.
“This is a heartbreaking outcome, and our hearts are with the Sims family and loved ones,” said Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. “We are incredibly grateful to all our local and regional partners who supported this search effort with urgency, professionalism, and care.”
Meanwhile, in neighboring Maryland, a powerful storm dumped up to five inches of rain in just hours, flooding small towns and school buildings. In Allegany County, about 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated from Westernport Elementary School after floodwaters reached the building’s second floor. Emergency teams used rescue boats to transport the children to safety.
The small community of Westernport, nestled at the confluence of Georges Creek and the North Branch of the Potomac River, was overwhelmed by fast-rising waters. Residents described how a rainy day quickly turned disastrous.
“We went from just puddles on the street to the whole town underwater in at most an hour,” said Chris Lafferty, deputy chief of Tri-Towns EMS. “It turned basically all of downtown into a river.”
With just under 2,000 residents, Westernport was left reeling. Streets were covered in thick mud after the water receded, and emergency crews worked with residents to shovel and haul it away. From heavy machinery to simple mops, everyone pitched in to clean out mud-drenched buildings like the town library and fire station.
Elsewhere in Allegany County, 12 students had to spend the night at Mountain Ridge High School because flooding made it impossible to reach them. County schools were closed Wednesday as cleanup efforts continued.
The National Weather Service confirmed that rainfall records were broken at Baltimore/Washington International Airport and in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Meteorologist Anna Stuck warned that even smaller amounts of rain could trigger more flooding due to saturated ground.
“Because of the rain yesterday, it won’t take much,” she said. “It will take less precipitation for it to flood.”
Maryland’s Department of Emergency Management activated its emergency operations center to manage statewide response efforts. Roads were closed across Allegany and Garrett counties due to severe flooding, with several areas reporting washed-out streets and gas leaks.
“We remain in close contact with local officials and continue to coordinate resources as the rain continues to fall,” Maryland Governor Wes Moore said in a statement. “I urge all Marylanders to remain vigilant, heed warnings, and prioritize safety.”
West Virginia also faced major impacts from the storm. Governor Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in Mineral County, allowing for the quick deployment of state resources in response to flash flooding.
As more rain looms, officials across Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia continue to monitor conditions and urge residents to stay alert. The devastation left behind shows how quickly storms can escalate—and how communities must come together in their aftermath.
