Southern West Virginia (WOAY) – Heavy rain that began late Monday and continued into Tuesday left behind localized flooding across much of southern West Virginia, with some areas picking up several inches of rain in a matter of hours.
The hardest-hit areas were the ones that tend to flood first, along rivers, creeks, and the low-lying roads nearby. Raleigh County Emergency Services Emergency Manager Tabitha Horn said crews spent the day assessing the damage.
“So there’s been localized flooding in some areas down towards the river,” Horn said. “I think we did get reports of one submerged vehicle.”
No evacuations were ordered, and Horn said no disaster declaration is expected. Emergency crews spent the day checking on properties in flood-prone areas, in part because some residents may not yet know their homes were affected.
“We like to go out into the community and assess to see if there is damage, because some people may have left or be on vacation and they don’t know that their property has been damaged,” Horn said.
One factor that contributed to the flooding was the ground the rain fell on. Southern West Virginia remains in an ongoing drought, and Stormwatch Meteorologist Christian Boteler said dry soil can struggle to absorb a sudden, heavy downpour.
“The soil isn’t as ready to take in all of that water all at once, especially in those areas that got more than three inches of rain,” Boteler said. “So those places might even flood easier.”
The wettest spots were just west of the WOAY viewing area. According to Boteler, Mingo, Logan, and Boone counties saw five inches or more in certain locations, triggering flood warnings overnight.
Along Paint Creek Road just south of Pax, Paint Creek spilled over its banks and onto the roadway Tuesday morning, leaving the two indistinguishable. Road crews estimated the water there was about seven feet deep, with a visible current strong enough to carry a vehicle away.
“One section could be this high and the other section could be this high,” Horn said. “It takes just a little bit of current to sweep that vehicle.”
More rain is expected this weekend. While the region still needs the precipitation to climb out of its drought, officials say residents should stay cautious, especially where debris has clogged culverts.
“We still need anywhere between like seven and a half to nine inches, depending on what area you’re in,” Boteler said. “So we still need some more rain as we go into the drier part of the summer.”
