Key Points Summary – Boy Swept Away

• Boy Swept Away: Jordan Sims, 12, pulled into floodwaters in Virginia
• Body Discovered: Crews found his remains the next morning
• Storm Fallout: Rains forced school evacuations across Maryland
• Students Stranded: 12 kids spent the night at a high school
• Infrastructure Collapse: Roads and gas lines wrecked in flood zones
• Records Smashed: Rainfall totals broke regional May records
• Danger Persists: Saturated ground raises risk for more floods

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Boy Swept Away in Virginia as Deadly Storms Pound East Coast

A child vanished into the dark surge—and was found lifeless the next day.

Twelve-year-old Jordan Sims lost his life when violent stormwater ripped across a Virginia road, dragging him away before anyone could help. The storm didn’t just take a boy. It shattered families, forced schools to close, and drenched entire counties in chaos.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue revealed the heartbreaking scene on social media late Tuesday. A 911 caller had reported that Jordan was walking outside when water exploded over the roadway, surging in from a nearby creek.

Search Teams Rushed to Save Him

Immediately, first responders launched a desperate overnight search.

Although teams moved quickly, the night was long. Hopes dimmed by the hour as the storm continued to pound the region. Everyone feared the worst—but they still searched.

By 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, crews found the body believed to be Jordan’s. The location wasn’t released, but authorities confirmed the boy’s remains were recovered near the flood site. They sent the body to the Richmond medical examiner for formal identification.

Family Left in Shock

“This is a heartbreaking outcome,” said Fire Chief Dan Eggleston. “Our hearts are with the Sims family.”

He added that local and regional agencies worked side-by-side throughout the ordeal. “They supported this search with urgency and care,” he said.

Yet for Jordan’s loved ones, the nightmare had only just begun. Friends, classmates, and neighbors grieved across the county. Meanwhile, officials warned that the storm’s wrath was still far from over.

Flooding Hits Maryland Hard

Just hours after the boy went missing, another crisis unfolded in Maryland.

In Allegany County, emergency officials evacuated about 150 students and 50 adults from Westernport Elementary School. Water started creeping toward the building by Tuesday afternoon. Three local schools were affected.

Twelve students had nowhere to go. Officials transported them to Mountain Ridge High School, where they spent the night on campus under supervision.

The next morning, parents rushed to pick them up. Relief spread through the school parking lot, but anxiety lingered. What if the rain came back?

School Closures Across County

Due to the dangerous conditions, Allegany County Public Schools shut down completely on Wednesday.

Officials said some roads had vanished—literally swept away by the deluge. Although no injuries were reported, authorities urged residents to stay home. There was no telling which road might give way next.

One resident posted a photo showing a chunk of highway ripped apart like paper. Another described watching the street outside her house collapse into muddy water.

Rivers on the Edge

Despite the chaos, the Potomac River managed to stay within its banks—for now.

Crews kept a close eye on the Georges Creek area, where floodwaters had already surged through. Although the water began to recede by Wednesday, the damage had already taken its toll.

Collapsed roads. Mud-caked cars. Crumbled bridges. The destruction left entire neighborhoods disconnected.

And things were still unstable.

Gas Leaks and Washouts

Local infrastructure took a direct hit.

Officials in Allegany and Garrett counties reported gas line leaks and full washouts of roadbeds. Some emergency vehicles couldn’t reach flooded homes. Residents trapped inside had to wait it out.

Maryland’s Department of Emergency Management stepped in fast. It activated the state’s emergency operations center, pulling together resources from multiple counties.

Rain Records Crushed

Meteorologist Anna Stuck from the National Weather Service sounded the alarm.

Baltimore/Washington International Airport reported its wettest May 13 ever. Martinsburg, West Virginia, also broke rainfall records. In fact, much of Allegany County saw between three and five inches of rain—some areas reported even more.

“Because of yesterday’s rain,” Stuck warned, “it won’t take much more to flood again.”

More Rain on the Horizon

Unfortunately, the skies aren’t done yet.

Forecasters predicted another round of rain Wednesday night. It likely won’t match the previous day’s downpour—but that doesn’t matter. The ground, Stuck said, is already saturated.

With no way to absorb more water, flash floods could strike again—suddenly and violently.

She urged everyone to tune in for local weather alerts. “It can change fast,” she said. “You need to be ready.”

West Virginia Declares Emergency

Across the border, West Virginia faced its own crisis.

Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a state of emergency Tuesday night for Mineral County. Like Maryland, the region got walloped by sudden floods and downed power lines. By Wednesday, state resources had already been deployed.

His message was blunt: “We’re acting now. And we’re sending help immediately.”

Maryland Governor Calls for Vigilance

Governor Wes Moore spoke directly to the people of his state.

“We remain in close contact with local officials,” he said. “And we will coordinate every resource necessary.”

He urged residents to listen carefully to emergency announcements and follow evacuation orders. “Stay safe,” he added. “This storm may not be finished.”

Despite the improving skies Wednesday morning, officials kept their guard up. The danger hadn’t passed—it had merely paused.

Boy Swept Away: Communities Reeling

In Albemarle County, the pain remained fresh.

A memorial began to grow near the flooded roadway where Jordan Sims disappeared. Flowers, candles, and handwritten notes lined the pavement.

One sign read, “We’ll never forget you, Jordan.”

In towns across Maryland and West Virginia, families started assessing the damage. Creeks that looked calm just days earlier had turned into monsters overnight. Children stared out school windows at the debris, wondering if their homes had been hit.

And everyone kept checking the sky.

Because they knew—it could happen again.