CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Residents across mountainous regions of West Virginia, Virginia, and western Maryland face a significant flood threat Sunday, with slow-moving thunderstorms capable of producing several inches of rain in a short period.
According to the National Weather Service, a Flood Watch is in effect from noon through this evening for most of the region. Forecasters warn that some thunderstorms could drop 1 to 3 inches of rain per hour. Areas experiencing repeated storms, a phenomenon known as training, could see localized totals approaching 5 inches. This excessive rainfall, falling on already saturated ground, raises the risk of flash flooding.
The watch covers a wide swath of the Appalachian Highlands. In West Virginia, counties including Greenbrier, Summers, Monroe, and Mercer are under alert. Virginia communities from the Blue Ridge mountains to the Alleghenies, including Roanoke, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, and Charlottesville, are also included. The watch extends into western Maryland, affecting Garrett and Allegany counties.
Officials advise residents in low-lying and flood-prone locations to be on alert. Excessive runoff may cause creeks and streams to quickly rise out of their banks, potentially flooding roadways and underpasses. Drivers should never attempt to cross a flooded road. Those living in areas susceptible to flooding should monitor later updates and be prepared to move to higher ground if a Flash Flood Warning is issued. Warnings will remain active through the evening as the storm system moves through.
