Two people have now been confirmed dead after a landslide destroyed their home, according to Watauga County officials.
The Boone Fire Department now thinks the landslide may have ruptured a gas line due to the lack of flame arresters at the home on Pine Ridge Dr., leveling the home in a firey explosion at about 5pm yesterday evening;
BFD incident. pic.twitter.com/Q2P56xbdnA
— Boone NC Police Dept (@boonepolice) May 31, 2018
Over 20 different emergency agencies assisted in the search last night and are continuing to help with the cleanup today, including;
- Boone Fire Department
- Boone Police Department
- Blowing Rock Fire Department
- Blowing Rock Police Department
- Watauga Sheriff’s Office
- Watauga Medic
- Watauga Rescue
- Watauga County Emergency Management
- Watauga County Communications
- Boone Public Works Department
- Blowing Rock Public Works Department
- Red Cross
- Foscoe Fire Department
- Cove Creek Fire Department
- Linville Central Rescue Squad
- Fleetwood Fire Department
- Champion Fire Department
- Caldwell County Emergency Services
- Lenoir Fire Department
- Clairmont Fire Department
- Alexander County Rescue Squad
- USAR Taskforce – Buncome County
BFD incident pic.twitter.com/VRArb4pKxt
— Boone NC Police Dept (@boonepolice) May 31, 2018
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency after several days of rain and heavy winds from subtropical storm Alberto caused havoc across western North Carolina.
.@NC_Governor Roy Cooper will declare State of Emergency for WNC after heavy rains overnight prompted mudslides, closed portions of I-40 east of Asheville & triggered evacuations of Old Fort & a community near Lake Tahoma in McDowell Co. https://t.co/suqSdsRMkv pic.twitter.com/4RnEKQh3LN
— NC Emergency Managem (@NCEmergency) May 30, 2018
Flash flood warnings continue to remain in effect accross our state until tomorrow morning;
WNC Flash Flood Watch extended to Fri AM. Flash flooding, landslides may redevelop this PM as pot. for showers/thunderstorms increases. Storm gusts could cause falling trees; use caution outdoors. Continuing flooding likely in south/central WNC Monitor @NWS & be #ReadyNC #ncwx pic.twitter.com/t7skFRC43F
— NC Emergency Managem (@NCEmergency) May 31, 2018
Officials are now urging drivers to not drive through flooded roads if they can’t see the yellow or white lines marking the pavement.