Increasing moisture quickly moved up the Ohio River Valley on the morning of the 3rd into a developing east to west frontal zone. The first of several thunderstorm complexes moved from west to east into western West Virginia during the early afternoon on Tuesday, the 3rd. The west to east band of training thunderstorms shifted slightly north overnight, toward the Route 50 corridor, including areas near Parkersburg on east toward West Union, Clarksburg, Philippi, and Grafton. The ground was already wetter than normal in this region, from above normal rainfall in May. By dawn on the 4th, the highest rain totals were 2.5 to over 3 inches from near Harrisville on east toward Clarksburg and Grafton. An unofficial report of 3.2 inches was received from a spotter in Salem.
These rain amounts over the wet terrain, caused some flash flooding on small streams early on the 4th. Areas in Harrison and Taylor Counties saw the most flash flooding early on the 4th. This was the last week for the school year for many counties, but some counties closed their schools for the day.
After a brief lull around dawn, more rain formed on the 4th, causing hail, high winds, and stream flooding.
The west to east band of convection sank slightly back to the south during the daylight hours on Wednesday, the 4th. Portions of Mason, Jackson, Wirt, Calhoun, Gilmer, Ritchie, Lewis, Braxton, and Upshur Counties saw the heaviest rains. Hail and some wind damage occurred with the convection on the 4th. The most noteworthy was the microburst damage just south of Harrisville in Ritchie County. Small stream flooding was also noted during the 4th, causing many road closures.
The last of the significant showers exited after 2100E on the 4th.
Rain totals over a 30 to 36 hour time frame were 2.5 to around 4.5 inches. A few specific preliminary totals from cooperative observers include Burnsville with 4.7 inches, Clarksburg and Racine Lock/Dam 4.5 inches, Rock Cave 4.3 inches, Glenville 4.2 inches, West Union and Philippi 4.0 inches, Harrisville 3.9 inches, Grafton and Southside 3.8 inches, and Grantsville 3.6 inches. An automatic rain gauge near Cedarville in Gilmer County had a total of 4.7 inches.
Significant river flooding occurred along the upper reaches of the Little Kanawha River, down through Gilmer County. The river at Glenville crested at 32.16 feet around 0800E on the 5th. Flood stage is 23 feet. That was the highest river level in Glenville since 1985. Water was about 1 to 2 feet deep in the downtown business district along the river. The crest on the Little Kanawha River dampened to just over the 36 foot flood stage at Grantsville.
The West Fork River in Harrison County crested just over the 14 foot flood stage at Clarksburg, also around 0800E on the 5th.
This event prompted a state of emergency by Governor Manchin. Around 130 structures were heavily damaged or destroyed according to his declaration. Later, President Bush approved federal disaster assistance for several counties. Harrison County had more than 300 requests for individual assistance, the most of any county. Taylor County had more than 100 requests for individual assistance, followed by Barbour and Gilmer with less than 100. See FEMA disaster number 1769 for specific details.