Drennen, WV — Emergency crews are racing against time to locate a trapped miner deep inside a flooded section of the Rolling Thunder coal mine in Nicholas County. Officials said rescuers planned to deploy an underwater drone on Sunday in hopes of reaching the worker, who has been missing since a water pocket burst inside the mine.
Sudden Flooding After Wall Collapse
According to Nicholas County Commissioner Garrett Cole, the flooding began Saturday afternoon after the mining crew accidentally struck an unknown pocket of water roughly three-quarters of a mile inside the Rolling Thunder mine, about 50 miles east of Charleston.
The incident was reported to the county emergency management department around 1:30 p.m., and all other miners working on the shift were safely accounted for. However, the extent of the flooding remains unclear.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey confirmed that the flooding occurred after an old mine wall “was compromised,” allowing water to rush into the active section of the mine. Multiple state agencies, including the Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training, are coordinating with local emergency teams on the response.
“Our top priority is the safe recovery of the trapped miner,” Morrisey said in a statement. “We are working closely with all available state and local resources to support the rescue.”
Ongoing Rescue Operations
Emergency responders are using pumps and specialized underwater technology to clear the flooded tunnels and locate the missing worker. Officials said visibility underground is poor, and unstable conditions are complicating rescue efforts.
“We’re dealing with significant water infiltration and limited access,” Commissioner Cole explained in a Facebook post. “The drone deployment is aimed at mapping the interior and identifying any safe routes to the trapped miner.”
The Rolling Thunder Mine, owned by Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc., is one of 11 underground mines operated by the Tennessee-based company in West Virginia. Alpha also operates four surface mines in the state and several others across Virginia.
The company and state regulators have not released the miner’s name as of Sunday evening.
Previous Safety and Geological Reports
A February engineering report for Alpha Metallurgical Resources by Marshall Miller & Associates noted that the area around Rolling Thunder had been “extensively explored” by earlier operators, producing large amounts of historical geological data. The report also highlighted that the mine’s coal seam runs along and beneath the TwentyMile Creek drainage system.
According to the report cited by CNN, engineers had concluded there were “no significant hydrologic concerns” about further excavation in the region — a finding now under scrutiny as investigators assess the cause of the flooding.
Company and State Response
Alpha Metallurgical Resources released a brief statement saying that rescue efforts were ongoing and that the company was “fully cooperating” with state and federal agencies.
“We remain focused on supporting the rescue teams and the family of our missing colleague,” the company said.
Governor Morrisey added that additional pumping equipment had been brought in overnight to speed up water removal. “We will not stop until every possible effort has been made,” he said.
A Community on Edge
Nicholas County residents have gathered near the site, praying for the miner’s safe return. The area, long known for its deep mining heritage, has been shaken by the unfolding situation. Many in the small town of Drennen say they are closely monitoring updates and offering meals, housing, and logistical help to responders.
Officials have not yet released a timeline for when rescuers expect to reach the flooded area, but they stress that safety remains the top concern.
What are your thoughts on this ongoing rescue effort? Share your views in the comments below.
