In the aftermath of the floods , President Ronald Reagan declared 121 counties or other areas as disaster areas , including 40 counties and 12 independent cities in Virginia , 29 West Virginia counties , and 6 Pennsylvania counties . After a year of hurricanes Elena , Gloria , and Juan , as well as flooding in Puerto Rico , the American Red Cross ran out of funds while responding to the flood disaster , prompting an emergency fundraising appeal
flooding in Puerto Rico
1985 Puerto Rico floods
1985 Election Day floods