Charleston, West Virginia – Residents across the Tri-State region should prepare for a heightened flash flood threat beginning Friday afternoon as multiple rounds of thunderstorms develop along a slow-moving front capable of producing torrential rainfall through Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Flood Watch is in effect from 2 p.m. Friday through Saturday morning for portions of northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio and much of western and northern West Virginia. Forecasters warn that repeated rounds of heavy rain could quickly overwhelm creeks, streams, poor-drainage areas and low-lying roads.
The watch includes communities such as Huntington, Ashland, Grayson, Louisa, Athens, Gallipolis, Ironton, Point Pleasant, Ripley, Parkersburg, Hurricane, Marietta, Belpre, Ravenswood, Wayne, Jackson, Elizabeth and Teays Valley.
The greatest concern is that thunderstorms repeatedly moving over the same locations could produce excessive rainfall in a short period, leading to rapid rises on small streams and localized flash flooding. Urban areas, low-water crossings and flood-prone roadways are especially vulnerable during periods of intense rainfall.
Motorists should never attempt to drive through water-covered roads, where the depth and condition of the roadway may be impossible to judge. Residents living near creeks and streams should closely monitor weather alerts and be prepared to move to higher ground if Flash Flood Warnings are issued.
The Flood Watch remains in effect through Saturday morning, and additional Flood Warnings or Flash Flood Warnings are likely if heavy thunderstorms develop across the Ohio Valley later today and tonight.
