FAYETTEVILLE, WV: Last night, the National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch across a majority of the area for Thursday morning’s storm system. With cracks of thunder and lightning heard early in the morning, more than an inch of rain soaked the area, which was enough to cause flooding issues in our area.
Flood Warnings were issued later in the morning as Chief Meteorologist Chad Merrill and Meteorologist Christian Boteler were out covering the event. These warnings lasted until 4:15 this afternoon, with watches and advisories remaining across the area. Pocahontas County continues to be under a Flood Warning until 7 pm tonight.
Flash Flood Guidance shows that we only needed around an inch of rain in the area for flooding to occur, and we got that and more. Streams and creeks across the area are swollen and overflowing, endangering some properties and causing travel issues for low-laying roads. For example, Bachman Lane was flooded with water rushing across, enough to risk your vehicle being swept off the road.
Even if the roads seem okay, it is best practice to turn around when you see flood waters. If you are stuck in flood waters, move to higher ground and do not wade into the waters. Debris such as wood, glass, and power lines could seriously injure you during these events.
Over the next week to 10 days, we are expecting an active weather pattern with more rain on the horizon. With the low amount of rainfall needed for flooding to occur shown by the flash flood guidance, we may see even more flooding as the month continues on. Be sure to stay aware and stay tuned to the StormWatch 4 Team right here on WOAY.
