Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 99, NWS Charleston, WV

July 28, 2026Lawrence County, Ohio; Cabell County, Lincoln County, Wayne County, West Virginia

NWS Charleston, WV issued this flash flood warning at Jul 28, 2026, 7:49 AM EDT for Lawrence County, Ohio; Cabell County, Lincoln County, Wayne County, West Virginia. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jul 28, 2026, 7:49 AM EDT (11:49 UTC)
Expired
Jul 28, 2026, 10:45 AM EDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Charleston, WV
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Lawrence County, OH, Cabell County, WV, Lincoln County, WV, Wayne County, WV

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 60 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 11:50 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.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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

Cncnati-Daytn, OH (KILN), launched 00:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 165 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-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 2026-07-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 1538 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Cncnati-Daytn, OH at 00:00Z on 2026-07-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 107 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
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
1538 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-8 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
895 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
17 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
107 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
143 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
3.2

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

975 
WGUS51 KRLX 281149
FFWRLX
OHC087-WVC011-043-099-281445-
/O.NEW.KRLX.FF.W.0099.260728T1149Z-260728T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Charleston WV
749 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Southeastern Lawrence County in southeastern Ohio...
  Cabell County in central West Virginia...
  Northwestern Lincoln County in central West Virginia...
  Northeastern Wayne County in western West Virginia...

* Until 1045 AM EDT.

* At 749 AM 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 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...
  Huntington, Hamlin, Chesapeake, Proctorville, Beech Fork State
  Park, Lake Vesuvius, Barboursville, Ceredo, Ona, Burlington, Aid,
  West Hamlin, Athalia, Pea Ridge, Lavalette, Scottown, Salt Rock and
  Branchland.

This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 4
and 24.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

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 3840 8254 3845 8256 3860 8269 3865 8264
      3863 8259 3855 8230 3852 8226 3848 8223
      3840 8215 3830 8208 3821 8215 3820 8228
      3826 8242 3836 8252

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

30
2 follow-up statements
870 
WGUS71 KRLX 281332
FFSRLX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
932 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

OHC087-WVC011-043-099-281445-
/O.CON.KRLX.FF.W.0099.000000T0000Z-260728T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lawrence OH-Cabell WV-Lincoln WV-Wayne WV-
932 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 AM EDT THIS
MORNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE, CABELL, NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN AND
NORTHEASTERN WAYNE COUNTIES...

At 932 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated between 1.5 and 2 inches of
rain have fallen from thunderstorms earlier this morning. 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...
  Huntington, Hamlin, Chesapeake, Proctorville, Beech Fork State
  Park, Lake Vesuvius, Barboursville, Ceredo, Ona, Burlington, Aid,
  West Hamlin, Athalia, Pea Ridge, Lavalette, Scottown, Salt Rock and
  Branchland.

This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 4
and 24.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

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 3840 8254 3845 8256 3860 8269 3865 8264
      3863 8259 3855 8230 3852 8226 3848 8223
      3840 8215 3830 8208 3821 8215 3820 8228
      3826 8242 3836 8252

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

30
437 
WGUS71 KRLX 281437
FFSRLX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1037 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

OHC087-WVC011-043-099-281447-
/O.EXP.KRLX.FF.W.0099.000000T0000Z-260728T1445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Lawrence OH-Cabell WV-Lincoln WV-Wayne WV-
1037 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1045 AM EDT THIS MORNING FOR
SOUTHEASTERN LAWRENCE, CABELL, NORTHWESTERN LINCOLN AND NORTHEASTERN
WAYNE COUNTIES...

Flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to
heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3840 8254 3845 8256 3860 8269 3865 8264
      3863 8259 3855 8230 3852 8226 3848 8223
      3840 8215 3830 8208 3821 8215 3820 8228
      3826 8242 3836 8252

$$

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 28, 6:00 AM EDT, 1 hour 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Two rounds of showers/thunderstorms today with severe thunderstorms and flash flooding possible. The first round affects the entire area this morning, then round two focused south of the Ohio River this afternoon/evening. 2) After a relatively quiet stretch of weather mid to late week, more unsettled weather arrives for the weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 28, 6:00 AM EDT, 1 hour 49 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
600 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Two rounds of showers/thunderstorms today with severe
thunderstorms and flash flooding possible. The first round
affects the entire area this morning, then round two focused
south of the Ohio River this afternoon/evening.

2) After a relatively quiet stretch of weather mid to late week,
more unsettled weather arrives for the weekend.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGE 1...
Hi-Res models are supported by upstream radar imagery with the
idea of a complex of showers/thunderstorms congealing to our
northwest over MI and OH and riding an advancing warm front
southeast into and across our CWA late tonight into Tuesday
morning. The presence of the warm front and increasing
southwesterly flow should continue to pull in moisture in the
low levels with a source region where surface dewpoints are
currently around 80. Wind shear also increases overnight. So
while timing suggest convection should be predominantly
elevated, we cannot rule out some isolated higher wind gusts
perhaps reaching the surface.

Probably a bit more concerning given recent events is the threat
for locally heavy rainfall and flash flooding. PWATs are shown
to rise over 2 inches up the Ohio River later this morning and
HREF points to a potential for training of convection and an
elevated risk of excessive rainfall in a narrow corridor
dropping down over the heart of our CWA towards dawn. This looks
like a localized threat and I am not confident enough on the
placement of the area of heavy rain for a flood watch at this
time, but will definitely continue to monitor the potential as
the upstream convection takes shape through the predawn hours.

After a lull in activity later in the morning, we should have
several hours to destabilize in advance of the front, which will
pass southeast of the Ohio River during the early afternoon. We
anticipate scattered to numerous showers/thunderstorms to
develop in advance of the front and slide southeast with a
potential for the strongest storms to carry a risk of damaging
winds and perhaps some hail, especially if the sun comes out for
several hours.

Showers and thunderstorms diminish quickly across our southeast
counties during the evening, but we remain close enough to a low
pressure system over NY and PA for a few showers or storms to
fire in our northeast mountains Wednesday afternoon.

KEY MESSAGE 2...
High pressure builds over the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys from
Wednesday through Friday bringing pleasant weather. Models then
show a trough aloft digging in to our west over the weekend and
perhaps cutting off from the mean flow into early next week.
This results in moisture advection and increasing chances for
showers/storms Saturday into Sunday, and lingering
showers/storms through at least Monday and probably into
Tuesday.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TUESDAY THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/...

A line of heavy showers and TSTMs is rolling through eastern
Kentucky and western West Virginia around 13Z, and will exit out of
the area by 15Z leaving some showers and MVFR cigs in its wake.
However, a few heavier showers have redeveloped across south-central
Ohio and are spreading southeastward, likely affecting KHTS with
cig/vsby restrictions and possibly a TSTM through 15Z.

A much weaker band of showers and possible TSTMs (30 percent chc)
will follow the main band and will affect most of the airfields
between 18Z and 22Z.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: There is a 20 to 40 percent chc that the shower
activity will continue after 22Z to about 01Z. There is lower
confidence after 06Z due to timing of the onset of LIFR cig/vis.
Cigs could also be 200 ft higher than fcst and vis could be 1SM.

 &&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...None.
OH...None.
KY...None.
VA...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...ABE
AVIATION...ASR/Cohen@LOX

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 28, 1:53 AM EDT, 5 hours 56 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
153 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

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

0138 PM     Tornado          7 N Grantsville         39.03N 81.07W
07/21/2026                   Ritchie            WV   NWS Storm Survey

            EF2 tornado tracked an estimated 1.8 miles
            down a hillside, across Leatherbark Rd and
            then up the adjacent hillside snapping
            large, mature hardwood trees and causing
            minor roof damage to a home.

0538 PM     Tornado          3 N Philippi            39.20N 80.04W
07/21/2026                   Barbour            WV   NWS Storm Survey

            EF0 tornado tracked 0.3 miles along railroad
            tracks south of Taylors Drain Rd.

0415 PM     Tornado          3 NE Marietta           39.46N 81.41W
07/21/2026                   Washington         OH   NWS Storm Survey

            EF2 tornado began between Hartline Rd and
            Zimmer Rd then tracked southeast 12 miles,
            crossing into WV at Belmont.

0431 PM     Tornado          7 SW Matamoras          39.46N 81.18W
07/21/2026                   Washington         OH   NWS Storm Survey

            EF1 tornado began in the Wayne National
            Forest near Archers Fork Rd, then tracked
            southeast for 24 miles, crossing the Ohio
            River into WV at Raven Rock, then passing
            through northern Pleasants, southern Tyler,
            northern Ritchie and western Doddridge
            Counties.

&&

ABE
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 4:40 AM EDT, 3 hours 9 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
440 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

OHZ083-084-280915-
Jackson OH-Vinton OH-
440 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT WESTERN JACKSON AND NORTHWESTERN
VINTON COUNTIES THROUGH 515 AM EDT...

At 440 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 7 miles northeast of Kingston to near Waverly.
Movement was southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Jackson, Coalton, Byer, Petersburg, Allensville, and Eagle Mills.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3917 8279 3917 8277 3937 8275 3936 8264
      3937 8263 3937 8252 3940 8251 3939 8246
      3892 8268 3901 8280
TIME...MOT...LOC 0840Z 308DEG 28KT 3953 8280 3919 8293

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

01
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 5:13 AM EDT, 2 hours 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
513 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

OHZ075-083>086-280945-
Jackson OH-Athens OH-Meigs OH-Gallia OH-Vinton OH-
513 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN MEIGS...NORTH
CENTRAL GALLIA...JACKSON...VINTON AND WEST CENTRAL ATHENS COUNTIES
THROUGH 545 AM EDT...

At 513 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 9 miles southwest of Hide-A-Way Hills to 8
miles north of South Webster. Movement was southeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Jackson, Wellston, Mcarthur, Oak Hill, Rio Grande, Lake Hope State
Park, Hamden, Coalton, Zaleski, Vinton, Wilkesville, Mabee, Creola,
Eagle Mills, Radcliffe, Petersburg, Allensville, Byer, and
Centerpoint.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3917 8279 3917 8277 3937 8275 3936 8264
      3937 8263 3937 8252 3940 8251 3939 8229
      3942 8228 3941 8219 3883 8238 3891 8276
      3894 8275 3895 8281
TIME...MOT...LOC 0913Z 312DEG 38KT 3958 8262 3894 8276

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

01
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 6:10 AM EDT, 1 hour 39 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
610 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

KYZ101>103-105-WVZ005-006-281045-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-Wayne WV-Cabell WV-
610 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT BOYD...NORTH CENTRAL LAWRENCE...
SOUTH CENTRAL GREENUP...SOUTHEASTERN CARTER...SOUTHWESTERN CABELL AND
NORTHWESTERN WAYNE COUNTIES THROUGH 645 AM EDT...

At 610 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Rush, or near Cannonsburg, moving southeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Ashland, Grayson, Wayne, Beech Fork State Park,
Cannonsburg, Barboursville, Kenova, Catlettsburg, Ceredo, Fort Gay,
Princess, Coalton, Denton, Burnaugh, Naples, Rush, Durbin, East Lynn
Lake, and Centerville.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 173 and 191.
 Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 13.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

&&

LAT...LON 3846 8287 3843 8260 3840 8257 3840 8253
      3842 8248 3840 8226 3804 8241 3827 8296
TIME...MOT...LOC 1010Z 295DEG 37KT 3834 8280

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

01
Special weather statement, Jul 28, 6:41 AM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
641 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

KYZ101>103-105-OHZ075-083>087-WVZ005>008-014-016-281115-
Boyd-Lawrence-Greenup-Carter-Jackson-Lawrence-Vinton-Athens-Meigs-
Gallia-Roane-Wayne-Jackson-Mason-Cabell-Putnam-
641 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS WILL AFFECT
BOYD...EASTERN GREENUP...EAST CENTRAL CARTER...NORTH CENTRAL
LAWRENCE...MEIGS... LAWRENCE...GALLIA...JACKSON...VINTON...NORTHERN
PUTNAM...WEST CENTRAL ROANE...CENTRAL JACKSON...NORTHWESTERN
WAYNE...MASON AND CENTRAL CABELL COUNTIES...

At 639 AM EDT, radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy
rainfall located along a line extending from 6 miles north of Point
Pleasant to 8 miles northeast of Lake Vesuvius. Movement was
southeast at 45 mph.

A quick 1.5 to 2 inches of rain can be expected.
.

Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Ashland, Portsmouth, Ironton, Jackson, Wellston, Point
Pleasant, Gallipolis, Ripley, Coal Grove, Pomeroy, Mcarthur, Oak
Hill, Rio Grande, Albany, Chesapeake, Racine, Proctorville, Rutland,
and Cannonsburg.

This includes the following highways...
 Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 123 and 146.
 Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 179 and 191.
 Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 25.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways. Motorists should allow for extra time for the morning
commute.

&&

LAT...LON 3876 8289 3874 8287 3862 8286 3857 8282
      3860 8274 3868 8276 3868 8270 3875 8270
      3875 8266 3883 8265 3885 8266 3886 8276
      3894 8275 3895 8281 3937 8275 3937 8252
      3939 8250 3874 8140 3819 8278 3875 8293
TIME...MOT...LOC 1039Z 328DEG 39KT 3894 8215 3871 8254

30

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 28, 4:40 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXVinton35 min
Jul 28, 5:13 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXJackson, Vinton32 min
Jul 28, 6:41 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXGallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Vinton34 min
Jul 28, 6:59 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRLXGallia, Jackson, Lawrence3 hr
Jul 28, 6:10 AM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXWayne35 min
Jul 28, 7:25 AM EDTTornado WarningRLXLincoln, Logan, Mingo, Wayne50 min
Jul 28, 8:21 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningRLXBoone, Lincoln, Logan, Wayne3 hr
Jul 28, 1:51 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXBoone24 min
Jul 28, 2:18 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXRaleigh27 min
Jul 28, 2:22 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningRLXFayette, Raleigh27 min
Jul 28, 3:20 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementRLXRaleigh115 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2026Flash Flood Warnings in Ohio, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.