Flooding in West Virginia, January 19 to 21, 1996

*** River Flooding ***High dew point temperatures melted most of the snow on the ground within 12 hours early on the 19th. The pack had a liquid equivalent of 2 to 3 inches. The snow melt, combined with 1 to 3 inches of rainfall (some locations received 5 inches), produced the worst regional flooding since 1985. River flooding began during the flood/flash flood event along the headwaters of the basin and continued downstream through the 21st. Crests ranged from 3 to 21 feet above flood stage. A flood of record was noted on Opequon Creek near Martinsburg (WVZ052).High water caused millions of dollars in damage, closed roads, destroyed homes and businesses, and caused several towns to be evacuated. The National Park Service at historic Harpers Ferry (WVZ053) estimated damage to the park (and new construction within) at $3 million, comparable to the 1985 damage figures. There was peripheral damage to other park property and cultural resources in Lower Town and along both the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers - from the Guard Locks on the Potomac Canal, to the rivers' confluence point. Additional damage was noted at the remaining bridge piers; on Virginius Island and its ruins; along and in other canals; and into Shenandoah Street/Lower Town sections.Refer to Flood/Flash Flood section of this report for a more detailed breakdown of damage estimates.