On the second day of a developing heat wave, under a sunny sky, afternoon temperatures reached record levels. The lowlands saw thermometers reach into the upper 90s and above 100 degrees.
Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS RLX wrote it up.
On the second day of a developing heat wave, under a sunny sky, afternoon temperatures reached record levels. The lowlands saw thermometers reach into the upper 90s and above 100 degrees. For example, both Huntington and Charleston had 103 degrees. Parkersburg and Clarksburg had 98 degrees. Even the mountainous regions reached into the 90s. Beckley and Elkins reached 96 degrees.
Meanwhile, an area of multi-cellular convection had moved out of northern Illinois that morning. It continued to organize and strengthen, as it propagated east and southeast across northern Indiana into western Ohio during the afternoon. As it moved toward southeast Ohio, it had already formed into a large arch of storms, or bow, with a developing cool pool in its wake. The temperature contrast between the air ahead of the developing derecho, compared to that in its wake was reaching 30 to 35 degrees. The resultant wind shift in the cool pool resulted in strong moisture convergence on the leading edge of the complex. This in turn, helped drive the storms further southeast, away from the mid and upper level wind support. However, the complex was diving right into that hot air that had obtained large convective available potential energy, or the order of 4000 to 5000 j/kg.
The complex streaked across southeast Ohio near the hottest time of the day and plowed into western West Virginia near 1730E. The outflow, or gust front, had outraced the rain, as it moved through southeast Ohio. That gust front then moved southeast at 60 to 65 mph across West Virginia. The mature derecho caused the strong gusts to be longer in duration than found in most severe thunderstorms. In some cases the strong wind gusts lasted around 10 minutes. Due to the dry ground, dust and debris accompanied the gust front in some areas. The storms and showers that followed the strong wind gusts only provided about a quarter to a half inch of rain. A few areas even had less rain.
Widespread wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph were likely with the leading gust front, before weakening in the southern coal fields of West Virginia. A few favored and exposed locations may have seen gusts around 90 mph. Locations sheltered from the northwest had gusts less than 60 mph. The strongest measured gust was 77 mph from the Charleston airport at 1810E. The Huntington airport had a gust to 59 mph at 1758E. The Clarksburg airport had a gust to 66 mph at 1828E. The Elkins airport had a gust to 64 mph at 1857E. The Beckley airport had a gust to 68 mph at 1907E. A spotter in Weston reported a gust to 73 mph on their private equipment. Likewise, a spotter in Mason County reported a gust to 62 mph.
The wind caused numerous trees and large branches to fall in scattered locations throughout most counties. Luckily, there were no direct deaths. There were 3 indirect deaths that followed from the storms. There was only one direct injury.
There was structural damage. Corrugated metal and siding were ripped off buildings. Trees fell onto houses or vehicles. Overall though, there was not a lot of physical damage to individual property. The fallen trees and power lines also caused roads to be temporarily blocked. However, the largest impact of the high winds was on the electric power grid. Prolong power outages occurred as the heat wave continued during the first week of July. The workers restoring the electricity had to take frequent breaks due to the heat and the safety equipment they had to wear. The electric utility companies had regional transmission lines damaged. These had to be repaired in addition to the usual distribution system. One electric company had to replace over 1000 poles, 575 transformers and 172 miles of wire. That total does include a few counties outside of West Virginia.
The lack of electricity in the midst of the heat wave, disrupted the daily routines of most citizens for several days. The word, derecho, was introduced into many everyday conversations. Water and ice were in high demand. Family and retail refrigerated food lost was substantial. An emergency declaration by President Obama allowed the federal government to quickly deliver nearly 300 truckloads of water and 750,000 meals. The federal government also shipped over 100 industrial sized generators for critical infrastructure use. Some people slept outside on porches where it was cooler. With limited gas stations available to pump gas, long lines developed for a few days in the wake of the storm. Phone and water service were also affected. Telephone companies had to use emergency generators to power cell towers. Likewise, water companies had to find power for their pumping stations. Citizens that relied on well water had no power to pump the water from their wells.
Around 600 state natural guard troops performed wellness checks, delivered food and water, and helped in clearing away the fallen trees.
Mainly due to the public damage, a federal major disaster was eventually declared for this episode. A few others episodes in early July were also included. See FEMA disaster number 4071 for more details.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Charleston, WV wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 29, 4:21 PM EST, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
521 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012
.SYNOPSIS...
EVEN WITH A WEAK FRONT IN THE VICINITY THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO
NEXT WEEK...THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE ON THE INCREASE...AND THE HEAT
HOLDS WITH HEAT ADVISORY AGAIN SATURDAY.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
515 PM UPDATE...MADE A FEW TWEAKS...MAINLY JUST TO THE CLOUD
FORECAST...OTHERWISE CURRENT TIMING OF MCS MOVING THROUGH AREA
LOOKS GOOD IN THE GRIDS. SEVERAL REPORTS OF 70-80MPH PLUS WINDS
ALONG WITH DAMAGE HAVE BEEN RECEIVED...TO THE WEST OF OUR CWA.
RADAR ALSO INDICATES 60-70KT VELOCITY SIGNATURES.
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION FOLLOWS...
VERY TRICKY FORECAST IN ALL ASPECTS AS MESOSCALE FEATURES WILL
DOMINATE OUR WEATHER THROUGH SATURDAY...EVEN WITH A WEAK FRONT
VICINITY OF OUR CWA. IN THIS SCENARIO...THE HI RES MODELS WILL BE
USED EXCLUSIVELY TO DETERMINE WHAT OUR MAIN PLAYER WILL BE FOR
TONIGHT AND AGAIN SATURDAY.
THE MAIN PLAYER TONIGHT IS AN IMPRESSIVE MCS COMING ACROSS NORTHERN
INDIANA AT TIME. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS MCS WILL ROLL THRU AT
LEAST THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE CWA EARLY TONIGHT...WILL HAVE HIGH
POPS NORTH WITH LITTLE FAR SOUTH...DUE TO CAP BEING STRONGER SOUTH.
POPS SHOULD END QUICKLY REMINDER OF NIGHT BEHIND THE EARLY MCS.
FOR SATURDAY...WILL CONCENTRATE LOWER AFTERNOON POPS UP NORTH CLOSER
TO THE FRONT...BUT AGAIN MESOSCALE INFLUENCES WILL BE THE KEY SUCH
AS LINGERING OUTFLOW BOUNDARIES AND POOLED LOW LEVEL MOISTURE LEFT
BEHIND THE MCS.
WILL CONTINUE TO GO WITH A GOOD DEAL OF SUNSHINE SATURDAY...AND
COMBINED WITH THE HIGHER DEWPOINTS...WILL HAVE ANOTHER HEAT ADVISORY
FOR THE LOW LANDS SIMILAR TO TODAY. TEMPS QUITE WARM TONIGHT AND
SIMILAR HIGH TEMPS SATURDAY AS TODAY.
&&
.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT IS EXPECTED THROUGH THE PERIOD...WITH A WEAK
FRONTAL BOUNDARY HANGING AROUND INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. HARD TO
DETERMINE THE EXACT TIME AND LOCATION OF CONVECTION THROUGH THE
PERIOD...WITH MODEL VARIABILITY IN MESOSCALE FEATURES. SO HAVE
GENERAL SLIGHT CHANCE TO CHANCE POPS...WITH MAX POPS DIURNALLY
DRIVEN...THEN DROPPING OFF SOME OVERNIGHT. IF AN MCS FORMS
UPSTREAM...HIGHER POPS MAY BE NEEDED AS DETAILS ARE RESOLVED. HIGH
AND LOW TEMPERATURES COULD GREATLY VARY DEPENDING ON WHEN AND WHERE
CONVECTION AND CLOUD DEBRIS MOVE THROUGH. NO CONFIDENCE TO DETAIL
THIS AT THIS POINT...SO STAYED MORE WITH THE SYNOPTIC TEMPERATURE
PATTERN OF ABOVE NORMAL TEMPS. IN GENERAL...HIGHS IN THE 90S AND
LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S AND LOWER 70S ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE
LOWLANDS. HIGHER ELEVATIONS WILL SEE HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S AND
80S...WITH LOWS IN THE 60S.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
RIDGE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE BUILDING OVER THE CENTRAL US...WITH HOT
WEATHER STICKING AROUND. WITH UPPER LEVEL NORTHWEST FLOW ON THE
EASTERN SIDE OF THE RIDGE THE GFS SHOWS A TRAIN OF UPPER LEVEL
IMPULSES/CONVECTIVE COMPLEXES SLIDING ACROSS THE REGION...MIXED WITH
SOME POTENTIAL DIURNAL ENHANCEMENT AS WELL. THE 00Z ECMWF KEEPS
THINGS MUCH MORE DIURNAL. WITH THE NORTHWEST FLOW...THINK THAT THE
GFS IS REASONABLE IN HINTING AT MCS/S...BUT OF COURSE TIMING AND
LOCATION ARE HARD TO PIN DOWN AT THIS POINT.
&&
.AVIATION /21Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
18Z FRIDAY THRU 18Z SATURDAY...
MAIN FEATURE WILL BE AN MCS TO ROLL ACROSS MAINLY THE NORTHERN HALF
OF THE CWA BETWEEN 23Z AND 06Z TONIGHT...AFFECTING PKB...CKB AND
EKN....WITH CRW ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE. GUSTY WINDS LIKELY WITH SOME
OF THE STORMS. OUTSIDE CONVECTION...VFR. ONCE CONVECTION
PASSES...EXPECT AT LEAST MVFR FOG AT THESE TERMINALS UNTIL 13Z.
AFTER 13Z...VFR WITH GENERALLY SCT050.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY...
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: HIGH.
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: CONVECTION MAY DROP A BIT FURTHER SOUTH THAN
CURRENTLY FORECAST TO AFFECT CRW...HTS AND BKW TERMINALS TONIGHT.
EXPERIMENTAL TABLE OF FLIGHT CATEGORY OBJECTIVELY SHOWS CONSISTENCY
OF WFO FORECAST TO AVAILABLE MODEL INFORMATION:
H = HIGH: TAF CONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
M = MEDIUM: TAF HAS VARYING LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY WITH MODELS.
L = LOW: TAF INCONSISTENT WITH ALL MODELS OR ALL BUT ONE MODEL.
UTC 1HRLY 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
EDT 1HRLY 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03
CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
HTS CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
BKW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H
EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H M M H H
PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H M M H M M
CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H M M M M M
AFTER 18Z SATURDAY...
NO WIDESPREAD IFR CONDITIONS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR WVZ005>011-
013>020-024>032.
HEAT ADVISORY FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR WVZ005>011-
013>020-024>032.
OH...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR OHZ066-067-075-
076-083>087.
HEAT ADVISORY FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR OHZ066-067-
075-076-083>087.
KY...HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR KYZ101>103-105.
HEAT ADVISORY FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY FOR KYZ101>103-
105.
VA...NONE.
&&
SYNOPSIS...JMV/MZ
NEAR TERM...JMV/SL
SHORT TERM...MZ
LONG TERM...MZ
AVIATION...JMVHAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV 320 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012 VAZ003-004-WVZ033>035-301930- DICKENSON-BUCHANAN-MCDOWELL-WYOMING-RALEIGH- 320 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. KYZ101>103-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ006>011-014>020-027>029- 301930- GREENUP-CARTER-BOYD-PERRY-MORGAN-ATHENS-WASHINGTON-JACKSON OH-VINTON- MEIGS-GALLIA-LAWRENCE OH-CABELL-MASON-JACKSON WV-WOOD-PLEASANTS- TYLER-PUTNAM-KANAWHA-ROANE-WIRT-CALHOUN-RITCHIE-DODDRIDGE-CLAY- BRAXTON-GILMER- 320 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 436 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST KENTUCKY...SOUTHEAST OHIO AND MUCH OF WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. HEAT ADVISORY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS...CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING...AND LOCAL DOWNPOURS WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. HEAT ADVISORY. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY AFTERNOON OR OVERNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS AND CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. KYZ105-WVZ005-013-024>026-030>032-301930- LAWRENCE KY-WAYNE-LINCOLN-MINGO-LOGAN-BOONE-LEWIS-HARRISON-TAYLOR- 320 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012 ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT SATURDAY... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST KENTUCKY...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA...SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND WESTERN WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. HEAT ADVISORY. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR OVERNIGHT TONIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS...CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING...AND LOCAL DOWNPOURS WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. HEAT ADVISORY. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY AFTERNOON OR OVERNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS AND CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. WVZ036-038>040-046-047-301930- FAYETTE-WEBSTER-UPSHUR-BARBOUR-POCAHONTAS-RANDOLPH- 320 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA...NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS...CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING...AND LOCAL DOWNPOURS WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY AFTERNOON OR OVERNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS...CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING...AND LOCAL DOWNPOURS WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. WVZ037-301930- NICHOLAS- 320 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012 ...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 436 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING... THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA. .DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS. SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH. STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TONIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS...CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING...AND LOCAL DOWNPOURS WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY AFTERNOON OR OVERNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT. STRONG WIND GUSTS...CONSIDERABLE LIGHTNING...AND LOCAL DOWNPOURS WERE MOST LIKELY WITH THE STORMS. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES. TRM
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
605 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0550 PM TSTM WND DMG NEW LEXINGTON 39.71N 82.21W
06/29/2012 PERRY OH LAW ENFORCEMENT
LOTS OF TREES DOWN IN AND AROUND TOWN. TIME ESTIMATED
BY RADAR.
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1200308
JSHPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
624 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0623 PM TSTM WND DMG NELSONVILLE 39.46N 82.23W
06/29/2012 ATHENS OH PUBLIC
LARGE TREE DOWN IN NELSONVILLE OHIO. POWER IS OUT.
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1200309
SLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
626 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0625 PM TSTM WND GST ALBANY 39.22N 82.20W
06/29/2012 M59 MPH ATHENS OH ASOS
ASOS AT ALBANY AIRPORT MEASURED 51KT GUST
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1200310
SLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
630 PM EDT FRI JUN 29 2012
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0615 PM TSTM WND DMG JACKSON 39.05N 82.63W
06/29/2012 JACKSON OH PUBLIC
TWO FOOT DIAMERTER TREES DOWN IN JACKSON
&&
EVENT NUMBER RLX1200311
SLThe Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 69 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 22:31 UTC.
65 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Electricity was lost to about 13,700 customers. Three houses were destroyed, 5 had major damage, and 3 had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $160,000.
Trees were blown down.
Trees with a base 2 feet in diameter were blown down. Roads were blocked.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in scattered locations throughout the county. A man was seriously injured in Parkersburg. A tree fell onto his car, while it was parked at 16th and Latrobe Streets. Four rental units were destroyed in the county. Four dwellings had major damage and 5 others had minor damage. Over 42,000 customers were without electricity in the county. The county fair grounds had 10 permanent structures damaged, mostly to their roofs. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $360,000.
Shingles and siding were peeled off houses.
Large trees and branches were blown down in scattered locations throughout the county. One house had major damage and 2 others had minor damage. Around 3100 customers were without electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $55,000.
In the aftermath, there was 1 indirect death. A 38 year old man died. He was riding his 4 wheeler late at night. He struck a tree that had fallen across a road near Arvilla.
A gust to 62 mph was measured by private equipment along Rayburn Road.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in scattered locations throughout the county. One house had major damage and 2 others had minor damage. Electric was lost to around 11,500 customers in the county. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $150,000.
Large branches were blown down. There was also roof damage to buildings.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. A construction canopy on the bridge across the Ohio River at Ravenswood collapsed, closing the structure. Electricity was lost to around 10,000 customers. Two homes were destroyed, 5 had major damage, and 6 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was over $800,000.
The sternwheeler named Gwendolyn sustained damage and took on water after wind gusts took her off course.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in scattered locations in the county. Over 8,000 customers lost electricity. One home was destroyed, 3 had major damage, and 4 others sustained minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was near $62,000.
Three lattice steel towers carrying 500 kilowatt electric lines were bent over and collapsed. A fourth tower was pulled off kilter. Engineers were trying to figure out why the 40 year old towers collapsed. Corrosion, foundation cracks, or even flying debris could have been a factor. Repair crews built 3 temporary towers, with hopes of rebuilding the permanent towers in cooler autumn weather.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in scattered locations in the county. Roof and porch damage occurred in Elizabeth. All total, 4 houses had major damage and 8 others had minor damage. Around 4,000 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $39,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Nearly 33,000 customers lost electricity. Three homes had major damage and 4 others had minor damage. A front canopy sign was ripped off a business in Huntington. A garage roof to a funeral home was damaged in Milton. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $391,000.
Multiple trees were blown over, including such areas as Ritter Park. One massive tree fell across 5th Avenue.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. Over 23,000 customers lost electricity. Two homes were destroyed and 3 others had major damage. The roof to a career and technical center was damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $218,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Nearly 21,000 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $192,000.
A gust to 59 mph was measured from 350 degrees on the compass.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in scattered locations about the county. One house sustained major damage. Electricity was out to around 3,300 customers. The pubic infrastructure damage assessment was around $158,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. Electricity was lost to about 5,500 customers. Two houses were destroyed, 2 others had major damage, and 1 more had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was near $47,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Around 10,000 customers lost electricity. One home was destroyed and 3 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was over $900,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. Seven homes were destroyed, 20 had major damage, and another 86 dwellings had minor damage. Nearly 79,000 customers were without electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was over 3 million dollars.
Large trees were blown down.
Several trees were blown over in the neighborhood.
A gust to 77 mph was recorded from 330 degrees on the compass. A hanger was damaged. A small single engine plane flipped over on the tarmac.
Large trees were blown down and uprooted around town. Vendors, tents, and the stage at an outdoor festival were damaged by the wind and fallen trees.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Nearly 11,000 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $149,000.
A wind gust to near 70 mph was estimated. Numerous large trees and branches down in scattered locations throughout the city. One large concentration of tree damage was along Kanawha Avenue.
A gust to around 70 mph was estimated.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. Two houses were destroyed, 2 others had major damage, and 5 more had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $210,000.
Trees with 3 foot diameters were blown down. Several trees on hilltops were also blown down.
Several trees were knocked down. A church had roof damage. A corrugated metal roof to a detached garage was ripped off.
Many trees were blown down along Big Fork Road.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Three homes had major damage and 7 others had minor damage. Over 8,000 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $660,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down across the county. Around 20,000 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $780,000.
Large branches were blown down. Houses were damaged.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Electricity was lost to nearly 2,000 customers. One home was destroyed, 3 had major damage, and 4 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $325,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. Over 11,000 customers lost electricity. One home was destroyed, 4 had major damage, and 14 other dwellings sustained minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $147,000.
An outdoor event had their tents ripped and blown down.
Large trees fell onto homes, damaging their roofs. A discount store front canopy was ripped off by the wind.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. The airport near Flatwoods recorded a gust to 53 mph, but higher gusts were likely in the county. One house had minor damage and 1 other had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $236,000.
A gust of 66 mph was measured from 310 degrees on the compass.
A gust to 73 mph was measured by private equipment. Large trees were blown down.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Electricity was lost to about 5,800 customers. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $29,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. The peak wind at the Logan airport was 56 mph. Electricity was lost to around 12,700 customers. Three homes were destroyed and 3 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $229,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Five homes were destroyed, 3 had major damage, and 6 other dwellings sustained minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $195,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Around 16,800 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $245,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Over 11,000 customers lost electricity. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $268,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Electricity was lost to around 13,000 customers. Twelve homes, including mobile homes, were destroyed, 31 had major damage, and 48 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $500,000.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Nearly 23,000 customers lost electricity. Five homes were destroyed, 30 had major damage, and 39 dwellings sustained minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was over $700,000.
The Amtrak train became stranded in the New River Gorge at Prince. Fallen trees had blocked the tracks in both directions. Over 200 passengers waited 20 hours before being taken away by buses.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down in the county. Five homes were destroyed, 16 had major damage, and 30 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was over $450,000.
On a north facing mountainside, a swath of several trees were blown down. The valley was oriented west to east along Little Elk Creek.
Large trees were blown down.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Around 6,000 customers lost electricity. Three homes had major damage and 3 others had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $156,000.
Hundreds of trees were blown down in scattered locations throughout the county. Motorists were stranded along Route 250 by fallen trees. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $150,000. On the order of 19,000 customers were without electricity.
In the aftermath, there was 1 indirect death. A 71 year old woman of Gilman died because of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator at her home. Her dog was also killed. The generator had been set up in the garage.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $85,000.
A gust to 64 mph was measured from 300 degrees on the compass.
Large branches were blown down.
Several trees were blown down about the city.
A gust to 68 mph was measured from 350 degrees on the compass.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Around 9,000 customers lost electricity. One house was destroyed, 1 other had major damage and 1 rental unit had minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $167,000.
In the aftermath, an indirect death can be contributed to the storm. A 65 year old man was outside performing storm cleanup work when he became overcome by the heat. Due to the lack of electricity in Marlinton, Martin was unable to access an air-conditioned location to cool down. He later died at the local hospital.
Trees were knocked down.
Numerous trees and large branches were blown down. Two homes were destroyed, 5 had major damage, and 6 other dwellings sustained minor damage. The public infrastructure damage assessment was around $185,000.
A transformer was struck. An electric surge went into a nearby house, destroying the electronic equipment inside.
Trees were blown down onto houses and vehicles. Windows were blown out of a building. Outbuildings were damaged.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderstorm Wind, Pleasants | 2012-07-01 | 38 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Randolph | 2012-07-01 | 71 | Female | Permanent Home | Indirect |
| Thunderstorm Wind, Pocahontas | 2012-07-01 | 65 | Male | Outside/Open Areas | Indirect |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2012Every state in 2012This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, June 2012
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 394953, 394841, 394842, 394844, 394845, 394851, 394811, 394858, 394944, 394958, 394967, 394882, 394880, 394888, 395016, 395015, 395038, 395082, 394834, 394862, 394922, 394972, 395052, 395018, 395027, 394825, 395044, 395088, 394826, 394830, 394924, 395014, 395048, 395057, 394893, 394871, 394890, 394986, 395092, 394864, and more.