Flood, Raleigh
- When
- March 13, 12:15 AM EST to 3:30 PM EST
- Where
- Raleigh County, 0.3 mi NNW of Besoco to 0.69 mi WSW of Pluto
- Cause
- Heavy Rain
- Deaths
- 2 direct, 0 indirect
- Property damage
- $4.0 million
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 37.624, -81.232
Major stream flooding along such streams as Piney, Beaver, Little Beaver, Little Whitestick, and the headwaters of Dunloup Creek, including Maple Fork. Damage was less along the Marsh Fork and Clear Fork drainage in the western portion of the county.
A 59 year old female turnpike worker was returning home from the evening shift. She left her vehicle parked and attempted to walk through the flood waters of Maple Fork west of Bradley. She was swept away and drowned.
The majority of the property damage in Raleigh County was along the urbanized Beaver Creek, Little Beaver Creek, and Piney Creek. This would be in the vicinity of the communities of Beaver and Glen Morgan. A stream gauge was located along Piney Creek upstream from the mouth of Beaver Creek. The water level at this gauge rose from about 3 feet to a record high of 11.4 feet around 0430E on the 13th.
One resident along Beaver Creek said, I've lived here for 24 years and never seen anything like this. Other residents along the lower reaches of Beaver Creek sought refuge in their attics and called 911 for help. A swift water rescue team from the Glasgow Fire Department was working rescues along Beaver Creek. The boat struck something in the water, lost its steering and crashed into a bridge. The boat capsized, throwing 3 firefighters into the water. Two were able to reach safety. However, a 32 year old male firefighter was swept away. His body was not found until the 19th along Piney Creek. Beaver Creek flows into Piney Creek before emptying into the Kanawha River.
Many culverts under roadbeds could not handle the flow. A few were completely washed out.
Preliminary data indicated 29 homes were destroyed in Raleigh County, with major damage to 34 other homes. Dozens of vehicles were flooded.