Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 260, NWS Charleston, WV
NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Sep 23, 2026, 8:28 PM EDT for Kanawha County, West Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report 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
- Sep 23, 2026, 8:28 PM EDT (00:28 UTC)
- Expired
- Sep 23, 2026, 11:30 PM EDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Charleston, WV
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
County Kanawha County, WV
The radar
The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 23 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:32 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23, 10:11 PM EDT | FLASH FLOOD | 1 Ene Chesapeake, WV | High water reported in the 100 block of Arlene Court. |
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 one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 103 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 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 209 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
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 536 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 25 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 209 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
788
WGUS51 KRLX 240028
FFWRLX
WVC039-240330-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0260.260924T0028Z-260924T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
828 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Kanawha County in central West Virginia...
* Until 1130 PM EDT.
* At 828 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 2 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...
Chesapeake, Marmet, Belle, Cedar Grove, East Bank, Glasgow, Pratt,
Coal Fork, Handley, and Sharon.
This includes West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 79 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
Report flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll free,
800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3817 8155 3815 8144 3828 8128 3835 8127
3839 8136 3836 8146 3831 8153 3825 8158
3821 8159
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
SINCAVAGE3 follow-up statements
846
WGUS71 KRLX 240143
FFSRLX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
943 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
WVC039-240330-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0260.000000T0000Z-260924T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kanawha WV-
943 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...
At 943 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 3 inches of rain have
fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1 inch are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Chesapeake, Marmet, Belle, Cedar Grove, East Bank, Glasgow, Pratt,
Coal Fork, Handley, and Sharon.
This includes West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 79 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
Report flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll free,
800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3817 8155 3815 8144 3828 8128 3835 8127
3839 8136 3836 8146 3831 8153 3825 8158
3821 8159
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
SINCAVAGE541
WGUS71 KRLX 240233
FFSRLX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1033 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
WVC039-240330-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0260.000000T0000Z-260924T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kanawha WV-
1033 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 PM EDT THIS
EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...
At 1033 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rainfall produced by
thunderstorms earlier this evening across the warned area. Between
1.5 and 3.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.
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...
Chesapeake, Marmet, Belle, Cedar Grove, East Bank, Glasgow, Pratt,
Coal Fork, Handley, and Sharon.
This includes West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 79 and 90.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
Report flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll free,
800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.
&&
LAT...LON 3817 8155 3815 8144 3828 8128 3835 8127
3839 8136 3836 8146 3831 8153 3825 8158
3821 8159
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED
$$
SINCAVAGE002
WGUS71 KRLX 240321
FFSRLX
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1121 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
WVC039-240331-
/O.EXP.KRLX.FF.W.0260.000000T0000Z-260924T0330Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kanawha WV-
1121 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1130 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR
EAST CENTRAL KANAWHA COUNTY...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
&&
LAT...LON 3817 8155 3815 8144 3828 8128 3835 8127
3839 8136 3836 8146 3831 8153 3825 8158
3821 8159
$$
11What 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 Sep 23, 7:07 PM EDT, 1 hour 21 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1.) Continuing to monitor slow-moving showers and thunderstorms churning over the area through this evening for localized flash flooding issues. 2.) Extended stretch of dry weather prevails through next week under the guise of high pressure. Cooler air ushering into the area will yield daytime highs in the 70s and crisp nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s.
Area forecast discussion, Sep 23, 7:07 PM EDT, 1 hour 21 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
707 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
00Z aviation forecast discussion updated.
18Z aviation forecast discussion update. Afternoon forecast
package issued with little to no changes from previous cycles.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1.) Continuing to monitor slow-moving showers and thunderstorms
churning over the area through this evening for localized flash
flooding issues.
2.) Extended stretch of dry weather prevails through next week under
the guise of high pressure. Cooler air ushering into the area
will yield daytime highs in the 70s and crisp nighttime lows in
the 40s and 50s.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...
The forecast area remains masked beneath slow moving showers and
embedded thunderstorms this afternoon. These showers, with
cloud tops plateauing around 15-20kft AGL, have little steering
flow aloft to help speed things along and has resulted in very
localized flash flooding thus far today. Rain has fallen over
the same locations for several hours now, primarily across
southwestern and north-central West Virginia, with only meager
observations capturing these higher rainfall accumulations. Some
road closures have been reported throughout the day, and the
risk for flash flooding extends into this evening. Therefore,
will maintain the ongoing Flood Watch through its forecast
expiration of 10 PM tonight.
KEY MESSAGE 2...
Heading into Thursday, precipitation coverage gradually
diminishes from north to south amid building high pressure from
the north and west. Simultaneously, upper level troughing will
shift eastward and a strong coastal low will slither up the
eastern seaboard, which will keep the focus of showers and
storms to the east of the Central Appalachians.
Establishing high pressure and upper level ridging will then set
the stage for an extended period of dry weather from Friday
through at least Monday. Next chance for rain still looks to be
around the middle of next week.
Cooler air advecting into the region beginning Thursday night
could promote patchy frost over the higher ridges of Randolph
and Pocahontas Counties. This was included in this afternoon's
forecast package as a result. Otherwise, expecting Chamber of
Commerce weather through this upcoming weekend into the start of
next week, with daytime highs reaching the 60s/70s, and
overnight low will feel crisp around the 40s/50s.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
MVFR to IFR conditions remain possible as showers and
thunderstorms continue into tonight. Low ceilings and some
patchy fog will support additional restrictions through early
Thursday morning. Conditions will then gradually improve to VFR
as high pressure builds in during the day.
Light to moderate easterly flow is expected overnight, with
some LLWS possible at EKN. Winds will then be around 10 kts or
less out of the northeast on Thursday.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium.
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Duration of showers/storms tonight, extent
of fog, and timing of improvement to VFR on Thursday may vary
from the forecast.
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.
UTC 1HRLY 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
EDT 1HRLY 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05
CRW CONSISTENCY H H M H H H H H H H H H
HTS CONSISTENCY M M H H H H H H H H M H
BKW CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY H M M M H H H H H H M L
PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H L M M M H H H
CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
AFTER 00Z FRIDAY...
IFR in morning valley fog each morning starting Friday.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch until 10 PM EDT this evening for WVZ005-013-
024>026-033-034-515-516.
OH...None.
KY...Flood Watch until 10 PM EDT this evening for KYZ105.
VA...Flood Watch until 10 PM EDT this evening for VAZ003-004.
&&
DISCUSSION...05
AVIATION...20In the hours before
Local storm report, Sep 23, 6:21 PM EDT, 2 hours 7 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
621 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0450 PM Flash Flood 5 NW Danville 38.14N 81.89W
09/23/2026 Boone WV Dept of Highways
High water on Horse Creek Road. Both lanes
are impassable.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Sep 23, 6:23 PM EDT, 2 hours 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
623 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 PM Flash Flood 6 NNW Danville 38.16N 81.90W
09/23/2026 Lincoln WV Dept of Highways
High water on WV-3. Both lanes are
impassable.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Sep 23, 6:47 PM EDT, 1 hour 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
647 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1135 AM Flash Flood 1 WSW South Point 38.42N 82.59W
09/23/2026 Lawrence OH Public
High water surrounding vehicles in a parking
lot (via a picture from social media). Time
is estimated by radar.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Sep 23, 6:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
655 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0900 AM Flood Vinton 38.98N 82.34W
09/23/2026 Gallia OH Broadcast Media
State Route 160 impassable with high water
from Raccoon Creek. Time is estimated.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Sep 23, 6:57 PM EDT, 1 hour 31 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
657 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0500 AM Flood 2 NE Rio Grande 38.90N 82.35W
09/23/2026 Gallia OH Broadcast Media
Water rescue on State Route 554 just outside
of Rio Grande. Time and location are
estimated.
&&
GWLocal storm report, Sep 23, 7:23 PM EDT, 1 hour 5 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
723 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0640 PM Flash Flood 5 NW Danville 38.13N 81.91W
09/23/2026 Boone WV Dept of Highways
County Road 8 washed out near Post Lane.
&&
GWThe office that day
Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23, 8:02 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Roane | 5 hr |
| Sep 23, 8:15 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Lincoln | 5 hr |
| Sep 23, 8:18 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Boone, Lincoln | 5 hr |
| Sep 23, 8:42 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Boone, Lincoln, Logan | 5 hr |
| Sep 24, 7:12 AM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RLX | Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, Roane | 21 hr |
| Sep 24, 12:04 PM EDT | Frost Advisory | RLX | Pocahontas, Randolph | 21 hr |
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.