New York state was sued on Thursday over a new law requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute $75 billion over 25 years into a state fund that will pay for damage caused by climate change, West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey said.

Due to developing weather patterns suggesting a significant winter storm for some parts of the stat along with the threat of flooding in other areas, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has issued a state of preparedness for all 55 counties continuing into Friday.

A life-threatening situation unfolded across portions of West Virginia on Thursday morning as powerful thunderstorms moved across the region, leading to numerous reports of flooding, high-water rescues and rockslides due to torrential rain.