ARTICLE FROM ACCUWEATHER.COM

Nearly two dozen people have died in West Virginia as a result of extreme flooding that inundated portions of the state on Thursday.

The West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management reported at midday Saturday that the official fatalities reported from the West Virginia Medical Examiner remains at 23, “contrary to national media reports.”

A total of 32,170 homes and businesses remained without power, according to the report.

Extensive damage was reported and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency for 44 counties, including all but the northern and eastern panhandles. He also authorized the deployment of up to 150 members of the state’s National Guard.

On Saturday morning, Tomblin requested a federal Major Disaster Declaration from FEMA to “provide individual assistance for Kanawha, Greenbrier and Nicholas counties.”

“The amount of rain that recently fell on parts of West Virginia and southern Virginia exceeded a once-in-a-century event for the specific area and resulted in catastrophic flooding in some communities,” according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

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Extreme flooding in West Virginia

“Radar estimates indicated 6 to 10 inches of rain fell on some locations in 24 hours,” Sosnowski said.

FEMA announced in a press release that it is deploying an Incident Management Assistance Team to help provide support and guidance on the Federal Disaster Declaration Process. The organization will also help with damage assessments in Clay, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Webster, and other counties.

Greenbrier County Sheriff Jan Cahill described “complete chaos” and told the AP that roads were destroyed, bridges had washed out and homes had been knocked off foundations.

Several rivers, including the Meadow River at Hines and the Greenbrier River at Hilldale crested to major flood stage on Friday afternoon. Record flooding occurred along the Elk River.

Fifty homes were destroyed along Jordan Creek in the Clendenin area and multiple water rescues were performed in Richwood.

High water submerged Interstate 79 in Kanawha County near the town of Clendenin. (Photo/West Virginia Department of Transportation)

In White Sulphur Springs, the raging floodwaters submerged part of the historic Greenbrier resort. Power was knocked out throughout the resort and cleanup efforts were underway. According to a posting on the Greenbrier Facebook page, the resort will be closed until further notice.

“It’s like nothing I’ve seen,” said Jim Justice, owner and CEO of the Greenbrier.

Flooding was so bad that the Town of Clendenin, WV was shut down except for first responders and residents, the local government announced on Saturday.

The PGA has also canceled their Greenbrier Classic in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia due to severe flooding at the course. The tournament was originally scheduled for July 7 through July 10.

Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers affected by these horrific flood waters. #StayStrongWV pic.twitter.com/lbkB1DwF0S

— The Greenbrier (@The_Greenbrier) June 24, 2016

Due to road damage, hundreds of people were stranded near the Elkview Crossing Plaza, in the town of Elkview. According to WSAZ, the people were finally able to go home on Friday evening after a temporary roadway was quickly constructed.

“The flooding we experienced Thursday and into [Friday] is among the worst in a century for some parts of the state,” Tomblin said.

Drier conditions will move into West Virginia this weekend which will aid in cleanup efforts, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jordon Root.

“A spotty afternoon thunderstorm will be possible on Saturday in the eastern part of the state, but most areas will likely remain dry,” Root explained.

“This should allow water levels on area rivers to continue to drop.”

Residents and those with boating interests along some rivers downstream will see levels rise this weekend as runoff from the recent excessive rainfall drains out of the central Appalachians. This includes the James River.

However, more rain may return to the region early this week.

“A couple of showers and drenching thunderstorms will return on Monday,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. “While the extreme rainfall from Thursday will not be repeated, any downpours could renew areas of flooding along small streams and in low-lying areas.”

Heavy rains triggered mudslides on Interstate 79 near mile marker 23 on Thursday. (Photo/West Virginia Department of Transportation)

A tractor trailer became stuck in the mud on Interstate 79 near mile marker 23 in West Virginia on Thursday.(Photo/West Virginia Department of Transportation)

Part of this road near the Elkview Crossing Mall in Elkview, West Virginia, was damaged by the floods. (Photo/West Virginia Department of Transportation)

High floodwaters inundated the highway in Elkview. (Photo/West Virginia Department of Transportation)

Mark Bowes, of White Sulphur Springs W. Va., makes his way to the road as he cleans up from severe flooding in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., Friday, June 24, 2016. A deluge of 9 inches of rain on parts of West Virginia destroyed or damaged more than 100 homes and knocked out power to tens of thousands of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

The week ahead looks like this…

Monsoon rains kick in…

Today’s video will be available later.