Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 97, NWS Charleston, WV

July 21, 2026Fayette County, West Virginia

NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Jul 21, 2026, 8:51 PM EDT for Fayette County, West Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. 6 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: Jul 21, 2026, 8:51 PM EDT (00:51 UTC)
Expired: Jul 21, 2026, 11:45 PM EDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Charleston, WV
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

County Fayette County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 77 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:53 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
Jul 21, 9:50 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Nne Oak Hill, WV	High Water on US 19 between Lochgelly Rd and Summerlee.
Jul 21, 9:50 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	2 Nne Oak Hill, WV	High Water on US 19 between Lochgelly Rd and Summerlee.
Jul 21, 10:00 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Fayetteville, WV	High Water on Lively St near US-19. Closed in both directions.
Jul 21, 10:00 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Fayetteville, WV	High Water on Lively St near US-19. Closed in both directions.
Jul 21, 10:05 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Ssw Fayetteville, WV	High Water on Appalachian Dr & WV-16.
Jul 21, 10:05 PM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	3 Ssw Fayetteville, WV	High Water on Appalachian Dr & WV-16.

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 3 storm reports to this flash flood warning; the first came 59 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, 0.9 hours before the alert went out and 155 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.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 2535 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -3 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 789 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 48 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 155 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 246 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 3.1
Supercell composite: 17.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

903 
WGUS51 KRLX 220051
FFWRLX
WVC019-220345-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0097.260722T0051Z-260722T0345Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
851 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Central Fayette County in southeastern West Virginia...

* Until 1145 PM EDT.

* At 851 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain
  have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up 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...
  Fayetteville, Babcock State Park, Oak Hill, Ansted, Gauley Bridge,
  Hawks Nest State Park and Powellton.

This includes Route 19 between mile markers 14 and 16...and between
mile markers 18 and 29.

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.

Report flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll free,
800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.

&&

LAT...LON 3810 8088 3808 8088 3808 8089 3806 8088
      3805 8084 3806 8080 3805 8081 3804 8083
      3803 8083 3803 8080 3799 8079 3799 8077
      3795 8081 3794 8081 3794 8082 3798 8108
      3806 8129 3818 8126 3817 8110 3814 8091

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

30

What 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 Jul 21, 7:12 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

1) Severe storms expected this afternoon and early evening.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 21, 7:12 PM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
712 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
00Z Aviation Discussion Updated.

No significant changes were necessary at this time.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
- 1) Severe storms expected this afternoon and early evening.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...

Mid level shortwave energy will dive south into the area into the
afternoon hours, followed by a cold front late this evening into the
overnight. As a cluster of elevated convection associated with this
shortwave approaches our area, it will encounter a very moist and
unstable environment, with convection becoming more surface based as
it enters our CWA. CAPE values progged to approach 2000 to 4000
J/kg, and increasing shear values of 40 to 60 kts in the 0-6km
layer, will result in potential for storms to become organized.
Damaging winds are the primary hazard, with convection potentially
organizing into lines/bowing segments, but with that being said,
there is a tornado threat as well, with low LCL heights less than
1500m and 0-3km SRH greater than 250.

Timing of the severe activity is difficult to pinpoint, but appears
most should occur in the afternoon to early/mid evening hours, with
an additional round of convection expected with the front later
tonight. It's possible some of this convection associated with the
front could be low end severe, but with loss of heating, and any
effects earlier convection has on the overall environment,
confidence isn't high.

Lastly, with any storms that occur, flash flooding is a possibility,
with the overall anomalously high PW are that continues to remain in
place. This should mainly be a threat in locations that receive
repetitive rounds of convection.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Heavy rain and strong thunderstorms will continue to produce
IFR flight conditions at times this evening. Although activity
will continue to taper off from west to east tonight, IFR or
worse conditions are expected to develop in fog and stratus.
CIGs/VIS will slowly improve to VFR after 12Z Wednesday.

Expect moderate southwest winds, with stronger gusts in storms
this evening. Flow will then become calm to light out of the northwest
after a front crosses the area tonight.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Impacts due to thunderstorms could vary.
Fog and/or stratus late tonight and Wednesday morning may be
worse than currently 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.

DATE                                                                 WED
UTC 1HRLY       23   00   01   02   03   04   05   06   07   08   09   10
EDT 1HRLY       19   20   21   22   23   00   01   02   03   04   05   06
CRW CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    L    H    H    M    H    L    L    M
HTS CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    L    H    H
BKW CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
EKN CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    M    M    M    M    L    H    M    M
PKB CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    L    M    L    M    M    H    L
CKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    H    M    L    H

AFTER 00Z THURSDAY...
IFR valley fog each morning through Friday.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for WVZ005>011-013>020-
     024>034-039-040-515>523-525-526.
OH...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for OHZ067-075-076-
     083>087.
KY...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Wednesday for VAZ003-004.

&&

DISCUSSION...SL
AVIATION...20

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:23 PM EDT, 28 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
823 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0815 PM     Flash Flood      2 ESE Buckhannon        38.98N 80.19W
07/21/2026                   Upshur             WV   911 Call Center

            People trapped in home by flood waters.
            Water is entering structures on Old Elkins
            Road.

&&

JLB

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:25 PM EDT, 26 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
825 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0747 PM     Flash Flood      1 SE Buckhannon         38.97N 80.21W
07/21/2026                   Upshur             WV   911 Call Center

            Swift water rescue for two people trapped in
            a vehicle on Bailey Ridge Road at Little
            Sand Run.

&&

Webb

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:34 PM EDT, 17 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
834 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0809 PM     Flash Flood      4 WSW Buckhannon        38.97N 80.30W
07/21/2026                   Upshur             WV   911 Call Center

            Person trapped on top of camper along Stone
            Coal Lake Road due to floodwaters.

&&

Webb

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:35 PM EDT, 16 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
835 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0510 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     12 SW South Shore       38.58N 83.09W
07/21/2026                   Greenup            KY   911 Call Center

            Tree on lines at State Route 2070 and State
            Route 784. Time estimated from radar.

&&

JLB

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:37 PM EDT, 14 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
837 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0815 PM     Flash Flood      2 ESE Buckhannon        38.98N 80.19W
07/21/2026                   Upshur             WV   911 Call Center

            Residents trapped in home along Old Elkins
            Road due to flood waters.

&&

Webb

Local storm report, Jul 21, 8:48 PM EDT, 3 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
848 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0451 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     5 NNE Pennsboro         39.35N 80.93W
07/21/2026                   Ritchie            WV   911 Call Center

            Trees down on Willow Lane. Time estimated
            from radar.

&&

JLB

The office that day

Everything else NWS Charleston, WV issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 21, 8:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RLX	Boone, Fayette, Kanawha	24 min
Jul 21, 8:09 PM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler	35 hr
Jul 21, 8:16 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RLX	Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Raleigh	29 min
Jul 21, 8:25 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RLX	Boone, Fayette, Kanawha, Nicholas, Raleigh	50 min
Jul 21, 8:30 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RLX	Braxton, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur, Webster	47 min
Jul 21, 8:45 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RLX	Boone, Fayette, Kanawha	3 hr
Jul 21, 8:59 PM EDT	Tornado Warning	RLX	Fayette	26 min
Jul 21, 9:31 PM EDT	River Flood Warning	RLX	Harrison, Lewis	4 hr
Jul 21, 9:37 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RLX	Fayette	23 min
Jul 21, 10:45 PM EDT	River Flood Warning	RLX	Upshur	29 hr
Jul 21, 11:37 PM EDT	River Flood Warning	RLX	Barbour	12 hr
Jul 22, 12:08 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	RLX	Harrison	25 hr
Jul 22, 12:11 AM EDT	River Flood Warning	RLX	Barbour	22 hr
Jul 22, 12:28 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Barbour, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Randolph and 4 more	25 hr
Jul 22, 12:52 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Braxton, Calhoun, Gilmer, Lewis, Ritchie	4 hr
Jul 22, 1:24 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Barbour, Lewis, Pocahontas, Randolph, Upshur	9 hr
Jul 22, 2:54 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Barbour, Lewis, Randolph, Upshur	13 hr
Jul 22, 6:48 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Ritchie	3 hr
Jul 22, 10:02 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Ritchie	6 hr
Jul 22, 10:41 AM EDT	Areal Flood Warning	RLX	Harrison, Lewis	6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2026 Every 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.