14-year-old still missing after floods destroy home in White Sulphur Springs

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS — The only thing holding the family together was a few extension cords.

Jason Phillips, 15, tied himself to his father and then to his younger brother and sister using whatever random cords he could find in their home on Mill Hill Drive. By this point, they knew they were going into the flood water raging just outside the door, the water that would go on to knock their home off its foundation.

but 911 told them to stay in the house

NEVER EVER listen to 911 to stay put when you know water is headed your way. 911 is miles away and have no bleepin' clue what is going on where you are. We're on the boundary lines between several EMS/sheriff depts. Several years ago, we knew we were going to get hit with flood waters. Some LEOs were going up and down the streets with loud speakers telling people to evacuate. We're so close to the boundary that we heard and saw them. However, our LEOs were freakin' clueless and wouldn't listen when reports kept coming in. So, be aware of your particular situation and act before it becomes dangerous. We packed up the photo albums and pets and headed up the hill before 23 feet of water hit. The next morning we went back to find our house ok but houses a block away were flooded and someone's kitchen cabinets were on our deck. Thankfully, no one drowned but people sleeping were awaken with water in their homes. We had people's stuff here drying off and helped replaced lost items. Bottom line, it's up to you to pay attention. A year ago, there was a family washed away because they didn't heed the warnings. All died but the father. I've been flamed for saying it was their fault but the flood warning was on every tv channel with constant updates on exact times when it would hit nearly every mile of the river. Their sister had worked at one of the tv stations and was on the phone with them several times. There was no excuse for anyone not to have already evacuated.

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