Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 155, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Aug 16, 2026, 8:59 AM EDT for Boone County, Raleigh County, West Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. 7 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 16, 2026, 8:59 AM EDT (12:59 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 16, 2026, 12:28 PM EDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Boone County, WV, Raleigh County, WV
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 61 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:59 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
What was reported inside it
| Time | Report | Where | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 9:56 AM EDT | RAIN 1.79 | 1 W Beckley, WV | Fell this morning. |
| Aug 16, 10:40 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Nnw Shady Spring, WV | High Water in the 2600 Block of Ritter Dr. |
| Aug 16, 10:55 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Ne Beaver, WV | High Water on Ritter Dr & Orchard Hill Rd. |
| Aug 16, 11:00 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Nnw Mabscott, WV | High Water in the 400 Block Harper Park Dr, the roadway is closed. |
| Aug 16, 11:15 AM EDT | FLOOD | 4 W Pax, WV | Water over the roadway Clear Fork Rd and Jack Hollow Rd. |
| Aug 16, 11:25 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 S Pax, WV | High water in the 2700 block of Sweeneysburg Rd. |
| Aug 16, 11:30 AM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 4 Sw Pax, WV | High Water in the 2500 Block of Clear Fork Rd. |
Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.
Did it verify
Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched 5 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 101 minutes after it went out.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 1.0 hours before the alert went out and 178 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 334 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -57 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 630 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 23 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 78 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 57 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.2
The text
As transmitted.
577
WGUS51 KRLX 161259
FFWRLX
WVC005-081-161700-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0155.260816T1259Z-260816T1700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
859 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Central Boone County in central West Virginia...
Central Raleigh County in southeastern West Virginia...
* Until 100 PM EDT.
* At 859 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of
rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are
possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Beckley, Mabscott, Sophia, Dry Creek, Prosperity, Bradley, Crab
Orchard, Macarthur, Stanaford, Coal City, Beaver, Daniels, Shady
Spring, Van, Whitesville, Lester, Sylvester, Arnett, Artie and Glen
Daniel.
This includes the following highways...
Route 19 near mile marker 1. Interstate 64 in West Virginia between
mile markers 120 and 128. West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers
31 and 52.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Report flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll free,
800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3798 8181 3808 8175 3796 8141 3790 8130
3789 8130 3789 8128 3772 8097 3766 8103
3764 8107 3762 8107
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
JP1 follow-up statement
770
WGUS71 KRLX 161628
FFSRLX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1228 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
WVC005-081-161638-
/O.CAN.KRLX.FF.W.0155.000000T0000Z-260816T1700Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Boone WV-Raleigh WV-
1228 PM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR CENTRAL BOONE AND CENTRAL RALEIGH COUNTIES
HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLOOD WARNING...
&&
LAT...LON 3798 8181 3808 8175 3796 8141 3790 8130
3789 8130 3789 8128 3772 8097 3766 8103
3764 8107 3762 8107
$$
JPWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 16, 5:28 AM EDT, 3 hours 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Flash flooding will be the main concern over the next 48 hours. Training thunderstorms can quickly lead to flash flooding, especially in areas that already saw heavy rainfall over the past week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 16, 5:28 AM EDT, 3 hours 31 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
528 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Aviation Forecast Discussion updated at 09Z.
Latest thoughts on the flash flooding threat for the next 48
hours.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Flash flooding will be the main concern over the next 48
hours. Training thunderstorms can quickly lead to flash
flooding, especially in areas that already saw heavy rainfall
over the past week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
Training thunderstorms are currently causing flash flooding
across portions of southeast Ohio. These training thunderstorms
are being caused by mid- level vorticity flowing on the
northern periphery of a large area of high pressure, in
combination with a stationary surface boundary. The atmosphere
remains very moist, with precipitable water values ranging from
2.00 to 2.25 inches. The main concern through daybreak Monday
will be flash flooding across southeast Ohio counties.
The aforementioned stationary front will lift northeastward
into Pennsylvania after daybreak with the entire forecast area
transitioning into the warm sector. Additional rounds of
showers and thunderstorms are expected area-wide Sunday through
Sunday night as additional mid-level waves track across the
forecast area. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly where the main
focus of thunderstorm development will be during this
timeframe, as new development will be triggered by thunderstorm
outflow boundaries from previous complexes. We will be
monitoring trends closely. In addition to flooding, severe
thunderstorms will also be possible Sunday with any
thunderstorms. 1,500 J/kg of MLCAPE and 30-35 kts of 0-6km bulk
shear will allow for organized thunderstorm development that
could turn severe at times.
A cold front will finally cross the forecast area from northwest
to southeast Monday afternoon. This will bring high pressure and
the return of much-needed drier weather behind it.
Thunderstorms will return to the forecast Thursday and Friday as
a trough and another area of low pressure approach from the
west.
&&
.AVIATION /09Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
VIS/CIG IFR and MVFR restrictions can be seen this morning in
thunderstorms. Rounds of rainfall can be expected the rest of
today with intermittent restrictions in the heavier downpours.
VCTS is expected for the afternoon hours, but confidence is low
in the exact timing and placement of today's storms. Dense fog
and low stratus will be possible overnight into Monday morning,
especially in areas that saw heavy rainfall during the day.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing and location of thunderstorms and
associated impacts will vary.
EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY
OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION:
H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS.
L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
DATE SUN 08/16/26
UTC 1HRLY 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
EDT 1HRLY 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15
CRW CONSISTENCY M M L M L H H H H H H H
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
BKW CONSISTENCY L L L L L L M H H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY L M L L H M H H H H H H
PKB CONSISTENCY M M L H H M H H M H H H
CKB CONSISTENCY H H H M H H H H H H H H
AFTER 06Z MONDAY...
Periodic chances for showers and thunderstorms continue through
Monday. IFR or lower conditions are possible around or under
any heavier showers and storms. Valley fog and low stratus is
possible late Sunday night and Monday morning.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through Monday morning for WVZ005>011-013>020-
024>032-034-039-040-515>526.
OH...Flood Watch through Monday morning for OHZ066-067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...Flood Watch through Monday morning for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...26
AVIATION...26In the hours before
Local storm report, Aug 16, 7:55 AM EDT, 1 hour 4 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
755 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0744 AM Flash Flood Handley 38.19N 81.36W
08/16/2026 Kanawha WV 911 Call Center
High water reported in the 26900 block of
Second Ave.
&&
JPLocal storm report, Aug 16, 8:01 AM EDT, 58 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
801 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0757 AM Flash Flood 2 SW West Milford 39.19N 80.43W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Standing water around 1 ft deep covering
both lanes in the 7600 block of Good Hope
Pike.
&&
JPLocal storm report, Aug 16, 8:48 AM EDT, 11 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
848 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0820 AM Flash Flood 6 W Clarksburg 39.29N 80.44W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Over a foot of water on Wilsonburg Road.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Aug 16, 8:50 AM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
850 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0821 AM Flash Flood 1 NE Lost Creek 39.17N 80.34W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
High water on Mount Clare Road.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Aug 16, 8:53 AM EDT, 6 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
853 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0847 AM Flash Flood 1 NE Nutter Fort 39.27N 80.31W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Car stuck in flood waters on Philippi Pike.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Aug 16, 8:56 AM EDT, 3 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
856 AM EDT Sun Aug 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0812 AM Flash Flood 1 SSW Stonewood 39.24N 80.31W
08/16/2026 Harrison WV 911 Call Center
Buckhannon Pike is flooded in multiple
locations.
&&
GWThe office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 16, 4:03 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Doddridge, Pleasants, Tyler | 87 min |
| Aug 16, 4:17 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Harrison, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 4:31 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Taylor, Upshur | 7 hr |
| Aug 16, 6:16 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Mason | 44 min |
| Aug 16, 6:29 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh | 7 hr |
| Aug 16, 6:33 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Pleasants, Tyler | 60 hr |
| Aug 16, 6:50 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Harrison, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:38 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Fayette, Raleigh | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 8:08 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Randolph | 4 hr |
| Aug 16, 8:15 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Mason | 18 hr |
| Aug 16, 9:41 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Upshur | 23 hr |
| Aug 16, 11:08 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Lewis, Taylor, Upshur | 9 hr |
| Aug 16, 11:53 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Barbour, Randolph | 8 hr |
| Aug 16, 12:28 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh | 12 hr |
| Aug 16, 12:54 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | RLX | Harrison | 10 hr |
| Aug 16, 1:14 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Fayette, Raleigh | 11 hr |
| Aug 16, 1:16 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh | 10 hr |
| Aug 16, 1:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Jackson, Mason, Wirt, Wood | 43 min |
| Aug 16, 1:59 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Calhoun, Jackson, Mason, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt and 1 more | 46 min |
| Aug 16, 2:26 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Roane | 34 min |
| Aug 16, 2:33 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Jackson, Lewis and 3 more | 42 min |
| Aug 16, 2:46 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Putnam | 29 min |
| Aug 16, 2:57 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Lewis and 4 more | 63 min |
| Aug 16, 3:04 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Putnam | 26 min |
| Aug 16, 3:12 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Cabell | 33 min |
| Aug 16, 3:17 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Tyler | 43 min |
| Aug 16, 3:22 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam | 38 min |
| Aug 16, 3:31 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Putnam, Roane | 44 min |
| Aug 16, 3:36 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Barbour, Braxton, Lewis, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur and 1 more | 54 min |
| Aug 16, 3:37 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer, Roane | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 3:46 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Clay | 29 min |
| Aug 16, 3:52 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Tyler | 23 min |
| Aug 16, 4:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Tyler | 45 min |
| Aug 16, 4:05 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Braxton, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Roane | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 4:13 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Kanawha, Putnam | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 4:13 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Clay, Nicholas, Webster | 32 min |
| Aug 16, 4:15 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Kanawha | 45 min |
| Aug 16, 4:17 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Randolph | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 4:20 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Taylor | 25 min |
| Aug 16, 4:24 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie | 36 min |
| Aug 16, 4:30 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Harrison, Taylor | 30 min |
| Aug 16, 4:32 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Tucker | 13 min |
| Aug 16, 4:50 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Fayette, Nicholas | 25 min |
| Aug 16, 4:58 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 4:59 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas | 46 min |
| Aug 16, 5:03 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Barbour, Taylor | 27 min |
| Aug 16, 5:09 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Kanawha | 36 min |
| Aug 16, 5:23 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Putnam | 37 min |
| Aug 16, 5:47 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Kanawha | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 6:21 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Wayne | 24 min |
| Aug 16, 6:35 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Mason | 25 min |
| Aug 16, 6:40 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Wayne | 50 min |
| Aug 16, 6:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Lincoln, Wayne | 49 min |
| Aug 16, 6:53 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Putnam | 37 min |
| Aug 16, 7:01 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Wayne | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:03 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Jackson, Mason, Wood | 42 min |
| Aug 16, 7:12 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RLX | Wayne | 33 min |
| Aug 16, 7:17 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Kanawha | 28 min |
| Aug 16, 7:27 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Cabell, Jackson, Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane | 48 min |
| Aug 16, 7:35 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RLX | Cabell, Mason, Putnam | 3 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:36 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Lincoln, Wayne | 24 min |
| Aug 16, 7:41 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RLX | Wayne | 34 min |
| Aug 16, 7:46 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Harrison, Taylor | 6 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:55 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler | 28 hr |
| Aug 16, 7:57 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RLX | Boone, Clay | 33 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.