Last week, Bryhn Design/Build team member Gary Houghton joined Eight Days of Hope’s Rapid Response team in Wheeling, West Virginia, to assist in the aftermath of a devastating flash flood.
“It was a mess—some basements were completely full, and one house had three feet of water on the first floor.” said Gary.
The Wheeling, WV Flooding Disaster at a Glance
- 6 inches of rain in 40 minutes
- Creeks rose from 2 feet to 10 feet instantly
- 8 fatalities reported
- Homes swept away and entire basements submerged
On the Ground: Gary’s Experience
Gary arrived on Tuesday and quickly got to work:
- Day 1: Helped a homeowner clear out a basement filled with five feet of water. The team hauled water-damaged belongings and removed debris—some covered in sprouted sunflower seeds from stored bird food.
- Day 2: Tackled another home with eight feet of water in the basement. Everything below the floor joists had to be removed.
- Days 3 & 4: Worked on a heavily damaged home where floodwaters reached three feet on the main floor. Tasks included tearing out plaster and glass walls up to the ceiling and removing ruined flooring.
Collaboration with the National Guard
The cleanup effort was made more manageable with the support of the National Guard:
- Their trucks and equipment enabled continuous debris removal.
- Volunteers loaded sleds with plaster and wall material, which the Guard transported away.
A Narrow Valley, A Massive Impact
Although Wheeling isn’t a large city, the geography—narrow valleys that funnel rainwater quickly—amplified the impact. In some areas, water levels reached an estimated 20 feet, washing away mobile homes and blocking bridges with debris.
At Bryhn Design/Build, we are proud of Gary’s selfless service and the compassion he brings to every project—whether at home or in crisis-struck communities.
To learn more about Eight Days of Hope and support their mission, visit eightdaysofhope.com.