KELSO — An 86-year-old Kelso man was found dead in his flooded basement, but officials say he did not drown.
The Cowlitz County coroner’s office says Velmer L. Backstrom died from a “catastrophic medical issue” before he fell into the water.
Officials believe he went to the basement Monday and was stricken while surveying the flooding.
The Daily News reports his body was found Tuesday by a relative.
