Flooding in West Virginia, March 20 to 21, 2002

A band of heavy rain, about 30 miles wide, stretched from the Huntington vicinity on northeast, toward Spencer, Burnsville, and Buckhannon. The rain fell in about a 30 hour period from the predawn hours of the 19th to after dawn on the 20th. However, the heaviest rain occurred during a 6 hour period, early on the 20th. Rain totals of 4 to 5 inches fell over the urban area around Kenova, Ceredo, and Huntington. The Huntington Tri State Airport measured 4.8 inches. The cooperative observer in the city of Huntington had 3.6 inches of rain. Further east, Pea Ridge had 2.9 inches of rain. The lock and dam along the Ohio River at Hogsett measured 3.3 inches. Southside of Mason County had 2.75 inches of rain. Spencer saw 2.6 inches of rain. Rains of 1.75 to 2.5 inches were more common in central West Virginia. Fourpole Creek flooded the Enslow Park section of Huntington. Water surrounded homes and flooded outbuildings, basements, and garages. Only a couple of homes had water in their living area. In Wayne County, seven homes were flooded along Krauts Creek. A woman and her daughter were rescued from Krauts Creek, when their car was swept into the creek. In Roane County, homes were flooded in the Alvord and Bell section of Spencer by Spring Creek. About 25 to 30 homes had basements, garages, and outbuildings flooded. Six homes had up to 6 inches of water in their living area. One injury was reported from Roane county, resulting in hospitalization. Along the border region of Jackson, Roane, and Kanawha Counties, the Pocatalico River drainage flooded roads, surrounded homes, and flowed into some basements and outbuildings. This included such small tributaries as Allen Fork, Haines Creek, and Pocatalico Creek near Sissonville. However, water levels in this vicinity, crested much lower than the floods of March, 1997 and June, 1998. In Putnam County, Little Hurricane Creek flooded roads near Winfield. One van, with its occupant, got stuck in these waters. Cow Creek flooded roads, fields, and some outbuildings. River flooding occurred later on the 20th along the upper Little Kanawha River, affecting a few homes and businesses. At Glenville, the Little Kanawha River crested near 27 feet around 2300E on the 20th. Flood stage is 23 feet. Grantsville saw a crest just over its 36 foot flood stage. The Tygart Valley River saw minor overflow late on the 20th, affecting roads not dwellings. Philippi saw a crest near 20 feet, while Belington had 15.8 feet. All total, the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services reported 6 dwellings with major damage and 64 homes with minor damage from this episode. On the order of 10 private bridges were damaged. No federal recovery involvement was expected.