Charleston, West Virginia – Residents across southern West Virginia and parts of eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia should prepare for flash flooding starting Tuesday afternoon, as rounds of heavy rain move through the region. Urban streets and low-lying roads in cities like Charleston and Huntington could flood quickly.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Flood Watch is in effect from 12 p.m. Tuesday until 2 a.m. Wednesday. The alert covers Kanawha, Cabell, Mingo, Boone, McDowell, Putnam, and surrounding counties, as well as portions of Boyd, Carter, and Greenup in Kentucky and Buchanan and Dickenson in Virginia.
Storms are expected to repeatedly track over the same areas, dropping 1 to 2 inches of rain in short bursts. That could cause creeks like the Tug Fork and Big Sandy River to rise rapidly, with flooding possible in neighborhoods with poor drainage.
If you live near streams or flood-prone zones, secure belongings now and keep a go-bag ready. Avoid driving across water-covered roads — even a few inches can be dangerous.
The heaviest rain is expected late Tuesday evening. More alerts may be issued if conditions worsen. Check NWS Charleston and local emergency channels for updates.
