Flash Flooding and Flooding in West Virginia, May 30 to 31, 2004

Repetitive thunderstorms dumped 3.5 to 4.5 inches of rain in the Williamson and Delbarton vicinity on north toward the Route 119 corridor. Williamson, Millstone and Buffalo Mountain all measured around 4.25 inches of rain. The ground was already wet from previous rain. Over this steep terrain, severe flash flooding occurred along with landslides. The Pigeon Creek basin, including such tributaries as Rockhouse Fork, Elk Creek, Conley Branch, Trace Fork, and Laurel Fork received the full burnt of the runoff. This included such communities as Taylorville, Varney, Delbarton, Ragland, Belo, and Lenore.Around 90 homes were destroyed with 165 home sustaining major damage in Mingo County. The high school and the middle school for Williamson both received some water damage. Later on the 31st, the runoff caused the Tug Fork to crest at 39.8 feet at Kermit. Flood stage is 38 feet. An oddity to this event, was the fact that the Tug Fork River at Williamson did not even reach flood stage. The rain was lighter over the headwaters, upstream of Williamson.

The axis of heavier rain ran east out of Mingo County through central and southern Logan County, generally south and east of the city of Logan. The maximum rain amounts dampened just slightly from Mingo County, with a maximum of around 4 inches. The 24 hour rain amount at the cooperative observer at Man was 4.15 inches. A gauge south of Holden near Pickering Knob and the county line measured 3.5 inches. The Island Creek basin, including Cooperas Mine Fork and Whitman Creek, plus other streams such Rich Creek and Buffalo Creek were in the heaviest rains over Logan County. Communities such as Holden, Whitman, Cora, Omar, Chauncey, Switzer, Monaville, and Wilkinson were hit hard by flash flooding. The Mt Gay business area was hit hard by the combination of the Island Creek flash flood and the swollen Guyandotte River. Water was 3 to 4 feet deep in some businesses. The Guyandotte River crested at 26.2 feet at Logan, slightly higher than the May 1996 crest of 25.7 feet. The river crest was the highest level since R. D. Bailey Dam, and the 10th highest on record. Flood stage at Logan is 23 feet.Damage assessment counted 31 homes destroyed, most of which were mobile homes. Major damage occurred to 204 homes.

Large branches were blown down.

The rain maximum came out of southern Logan County and rain east, across northern portions of Wyoming County. The maximum rain amount in the 3.5 to 4 inch range was likely for northern Wyoming County. This included portions of Huff Creek, Clear Fork including its Trace Fork, and Laurel Fork. Oceana measured 3.5 inches. Pineville had 2.4 inches. Flood water from Huff Creek surrounded an elderly couple's home in Cyclone. The 71 year old husband went to his flooded basement to check on a water pump, which ran on gasoline. Apparently, he fell unconscious from the exhaust fumes and drowned. His wife was also overcome, but was rescued and revived. The lower sections of Oceans were flooded.Damage assessment had 5 homes destroyed in Wyoming County, plus 6 more homes with major damage.

Several trees were blown down.

Trees and power lines came down in the city.

Trees were knocked down along Route 152.

Trees fell along Cow Creek and Popular Fork.

Trees were blown down

Scattered locations saw trees or large branches blown down.

Trees were blown down along Sand Branch Road.

Trees were knocked down.