Charleston, West Virginia – Drivers across West Virginia, northeast Kentucky, and southeast Ohio could encounter water-covered roads before sunrise Friday as up to 1 inch of rain falls in quick bursts, pushing already swollen creeks toward their banks.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday morning for much of central and western West Virginia, along with Boyd, Carter, Greenup, and Lawrence counties in Kentucky and Gallia and Lawrence counties in Ohio. Forecasters warn that 0.75 to 1.00 inch of rainfall could fall in a short period within stronger thunderstorms, increasing the risk of rapid runoff.
Streams across the Kanawha Valley, including areas near Charleston, South Charleston, and St. Albans, are already running high. Low-lying roads near the Elk River, Coal River, and along smaller creeks in Cabell, Putnam, and Mason counties could see brief closures if heavy rain bands stall. In Huntington, water pooling on U.S. 60 and feeder roads near Four Pole Creek may slow the Friday morning commute.
Higher elevations above 3,500 feet in Randolph, Webster, and Nicholas counties face added runoff from melting snow and ice, which may accelerate rises on tributaries feeding the Gauley and Tygart Valley rivers.
Emergency managers urge residents in flood-prone areas to avoid driving through water-covered roadways and to monitor alerts overnight. Additional advisories or Flood Warnings may be issued if rainfall intensifies before daybreak Friday.
