Flash Flooding in West Virginia, June 1, 1997

One hour rains of 1.5 to 2 inches, with totals of 2 to 3 inches in less than 3 hours, flooded small streams in the eastern and northeastern part of the county. One gauge along Drift Run reported 2.9 inches of rain. Ripley had a 24 hour rainfall total of 3.3 inches. Twenty homes received minor water damage. Route 21 was blocked by the high water. A mobile park near Ripley had water surrounding many of the trailers. People were evacuated. Outbuildings and heat pumps were damaged in the trailer park.

Several small downpours caused scattered flooding. Around Dunbar, Tyler Creek flooded an elementary school, forcing it to close early for the school year. Nearby, Aarons Creek flooded another elementary school in the Roxalana area. Little Tyler Creek flooded homes on West Washington Street. Elsewhere, some evacuations were needed along the Lincoln County line, in the Alum Creek region. To the north, a few evacuations were needed between Elkview and Sissonville. A spotter along Aarons Fork measured 3.5 inches of rain. About 25 homes and five private bridges in the county received damage.

Rains of 2.5 to 3.5 inches fell over the mountainous terrain in less than 3 hours. A coal mine along Clear Fork reported a total of 3.4 inches of rain. Flooding was most serious in the Clear Creek to Artie vicinity, including Toney Fork, Workman Creek, White Oak Creek, and Clear Fork. A 34 year old woman and a 15 year old male neighbor drowned. They were on their way home from Sunday evening church services. Within 100 yards of their homes in Artie, they slipped into White Oak Creek, when the bank gave way. Further south, near Saxon and Bolt, Breckenridge Creek washed out portions of a county road. The concentrated storms were moving from southeast to northwest, missing the larger towns in the county. For example, only a few hundredths of an inch of rain fell around Beckley.

Waters from Armstrong Creek flooded roads and caused mudslides. One mudslide damaged a home.

Waters from Laurel Fork rose as high as 3 feet into homes, the elementary school, and the post office in Glen Rogers. The sewage treatment plant was damaged. A few mobile homes were swept off their foundations. A total of 34 homes, 20 vehicles, and 7 private bridges were damaged .

Small creeks and runs, that drain into the Big Coal River, damaged roads with water and mud.

Small streams, in and around the city, damaged 10 homes and 6 businesses. The 24 hour rainfall total at Parkersburg was 3 inches.

The Middle Fork of Reedy Creek overflowed and blocked roads.

Creeks east of the divide at Sumerco flooded. One such stream was Hayzlett Fork. Twenty homes, 1 small business, 12 vehicles, and 2 private bridges were damaged.