Flooding in West Virginia, December 6 to 8, 2013

Name: Flooding in West Virginia, December 6 to 8, 2013
Start: 2013-12-06T14:30
End: 2013-12-08T06:00
Location: West Virginia

December 6 to 8, 2013 · NWS RLX · 9 events in 9 counties and zones

Rain showers began during the warm afternoon on the 5th, ahead of an approaching cold front. In the wake of the frontal passage during that evening.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $640,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 9

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS RLX wrote it up.

Rain showers began during the warm afternoon on the 5th, ahead of an approaching cold front. In the wake of the frontal passage during that evening. the showers transformed into periods of rain. The cold rain continued into the evening hours of the 6th as a low pressure wave rippled along the front.

Rains of 2 to 3 inches over 24 to 30 hours caused small streams and creeks to overflow in the usual vulnerable spots by the evening twilight on the 6th. Minor river flooding even occurred.

What forecasters said that day

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 Dec 6, 1:42 PM EST, 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Dec 6, 1:42 PM EST, 48 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
142 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

.SYNOPSIS...
SLOW MOVING COLD FRONT CONTINUES SOUTHEAST WITH ABUNDANT
PRECIPITATION THROUGH TONIGHT. BRIEF HIGH PRESSURE SATURDAY.
ANOTHER WET SYSTEM SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY/...
MODELS CONTINUE TO ADVERTISE A COUPLE MORE WAVES MOVING UP THE COLD
FRONT AS IT SLOWLY SAGS SOUTHEAST. ACTUAL COLD FRONT IS SE OF
CWA...BUT BELOW 0C AIR REMAINS MAINLY NW OF CWA...WITH SLIGHT WARM
NOSE ALOFT STILL IN PLACE AS WELL. RAIN/WINTRY MIX LINE APPEARS TO
BE NUDGING INTO NW PERRY COUNTY AS OF 18Z. TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER
ATMOSPHERE WILL REMAIN FAIRLY STEADY...OR VERY SLOWLY COOL THIS
AFTERNOON UNTIL NEXT WAVE PASSES AND COOLER AIR CAN BEGIN TO FILTER
IN. THAT WAVE LOOKS TO BE IN CENTRAL KY RIGHT NOW. HAVE ONE MORE
WAVE STILL PROGGED TO MOVE NW AS WELL THIS EVENING...AND THEN PRECIP
INTENSITIES SHOULD BEGIN TO DECREASE FROM NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST
EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. USED A BLEND OF NAM/RAP FOR WARM NOSE INTO
TONIGHT...THEN TRANSITIONED TO NAM/GFS BLEND...AND USED THIS TO
DEVELOP P-TYPE TRANSITION ZONE AND SNOW ACCUMULATIONS. THIS PROCESS
COOLED THINGS A BIT FASTER THAN PREVIOUS FORECAST...SO HAVE WINTRY
PRECIP MIXING IN JUST A BIT FASTER. DUE TO THIS...ADDED JACKSON
COUNTY OHIO TO WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW/SLEET ACCUMULATIONS.
COUNTY AVERAGE SNOW ACCUMULATION ACROSS PERRY COUNTY REMAINS
MARGINAL FOR WARNING CRITERIA...BUT STILL EXPECT A DOSE OF HEAVY
SNOW THIS AFTERNOON INTO TONIGHT. HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS SHOULD BE
IN THE NW HALF OF THE COUNTY. COULD GET A VERY BRIEF PERIOD OF
FREEZING RAIN ACROSS LOWLANDS AS COLDER TEMPS DROP SE THROUGH THE
NIGHT...HOWEVER WITH WARM/WET GROUND THE ONLY ICE ACCUMULATIONS
SHOULD BE VERY LIGHT AND ONLY ON ELEVATED SURFACES -- FOR EXAMPLE
TOPS OF CARS.

USED NON-DIURNAL TEMPERATURES TONIGHT AND TOMORROW...BY BLENDING
MAV/MET TEMPS TONIGHT AND MAV/CONSALL TEMPS FOR HIGHS. THIS KEEPS
TEMPS DROPPING AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS THROUGH THE DAY TOMORROW. LOWER
ELEVATIONS MAY GET A LITTLE DIURNAL RISE BUT ONLY A DEGREE OR TWO.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY/...
ONLY MINOR DIFFERENCES WITH THE LARGE SCALE FEATURES IN RUN TO RUN
COMPARISONS OF VARIOUS SHORT TERM MODEL OUTPUT. NOT MUCH CHANGE WITH
THE OVERALL PREVIOUS FORECAST FOR SATURDAY. SFC FRONT AND AXIS OF
DEEP LAYER MOISTURE CONTINUES TO PUSH OFF TO THE SOUTHEAST DURING
THE DAY SATURDAY. PRECIP CHANCES WILL WIND DOWN FROM WEST TO EAST
DURING THE 12Z-18Z TIME FRAME MAINLY EAST OF THE OHIO RIVER. DRYING
IN THE MID-LEVELS DURING THIS TIME FRAME SUGGESTS THE POTENTIAL FOR
THE END OF PRECIP TO POTENTIALLY BE SLEET/FREEZING RAIN. THIS BEARS
WATCHING OF COURSE BUT AMOUNTS SHOULD REMAIN ON THE LIGHT SIDE.
CLOUDS MAY BE SLOW TO BREAK EAST OF THE OHIO AS USUAL WITH CONTINUED
COLD ADVECTION BUT EVEN HERE SHOULD SEE SOME LATE DAY PARTLY CLOUDY
SKIES. MEANWHILE...SE OHIO ZONES SHOULD SEE BREAKS IN THE CLOUDS BY
MID-MORNING SAT.

THINGS BEGIN TO CHANGE RAPIDLY OVERNIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT AS SFC HIGH
PRESSURE PUSHES OFF TO OUR NORTHEAST AND THE NEXT WAVE OF LOW
PRESSURE RIDES NORTHEAST ALONG THE FRONT TO OUR SOUTHEAST. TEMPS
SHOULD FALL DURING THE EVENING HOURS SAT NIGHT INTO THE LOW/MID 20S
MOST LOWLAND LOCATIONS BEFORE LEVELING OFF AS DENSE CLOUD COVER
MOVES OVERHEAD AND WIND DIRECTION QUICKLY VEERS FROM NORTH AT 00Z
SUN TO THE EAST BY 12Z SUN. MEANWHILE...DEEP LAYER MOISTURE PROGGED
TO ARRIVE AGAIN FROM SOUTH TO NORTH BTWN 12Z AND 18Z SUN...AND AS
SUCH HAVE BUMPED UP POPS TO CATEGORICAL PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE
EXCEPT THE NORTHWEST ZONES BY 18Z SUN. PRECIP TYPE AT THIS POINT
APPEARS TO TRANSITION FROM SNOW TO SLEET/FZRA TO FINALLY RAIN BY
AROUND THE 18Z-19Z TIME FRAME FOR THE CRW-HTS CORRIDOR SOUTH INTO
THE COALFIELDS...AND FOR THE PKB-CKB AREA BY AROUND 21Z. CODED UP A
QUICK HALF INCH TO AN INCH OF SNOW FOR MUCH OF THE LOWLANDS EARLY
SUNDAY MORNING PRIOR TO THE CHANGEOVER. THE NORTHWEST ZONES MAY
REMAIN IN AN ALL SNOW OR WINTRY MIX ALL DAY...WHERE THESE LOCATIONS
MAY SEE A BIT MORE TOTAL SNOW BY LATE SUNDAY...PERHAPS AROUND
1.0-1.5 INCHES. ALSO...THERE CONTINUES TO BE A GREATER CONCERN FOR A
FAIRLY PROLONGED FREEZING RAIN EVENT FOR THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS PER
LATEST GUIDANCE FROM SUN MID AFTERNOON INTO SUN EVENING AND INTO
EARLY OVERNIGHT MONDAY. AS SUNDAY AFTERNOON IS STILL FIVE PERIODS
OUT...OPTED TO NOT ISSUE ANY ICE HIGHLIGHTS DUE TO ONGOING
HIGHLIGHTS...AS WELL AS TO ALLOW THE DAY SHIFT TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK
AT THE EVENT.

TEMPS ON SUNDAY NIGHT WILL CONTINUE TO SLOWLY RISE DURING THE
OVERNIGHT HOURS AS MOISTURE CONTINUES TO FLOW INTO THE AREA...HAVE
CONTINUED THE NON-DIURNAL TEMP CURVE WHICH THE PREVIOUS SHIFT HAD A
GOOD HANDLE ON. A GOOD CHANCE OF PRECIP WILL CONTINUE DURING THE
OVERNIGHT HOURS...BUT PRECIP BY EARLY MONDAY MORNING SHOULD BE ALL
RAIN EXCEPT PERHAPS THE FAR NORTHERN REACHES OF PERRY COUNTY OH AND
A FEW SHELTERED DEEP VALLEYS OF THE EASTERN MOUNTAINS. WILL ALSO
NEED TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR WATER AS WELL. WITH PRECIP RECEIVED FROM
THIS CURRENT ROUND...IT MAY NOT TAKE TOO TERRIBLY MUCH FOR FLOODING
WITH SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT/S ROUND.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/...
REASONABLE MODEL AGREEMENT WITH THE LAST IN A SERIES OF LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEMS TO AFFECT OUR AREA THIS PERIOD. LOW CENTER LIFTS NORTH JUST
TO THE WEST OF OUR AREA MONDAY...BEFORE SWEEPING A COLD FRONT THRU
MONDAY NIGHT AND ENDING PRECIPITATION. AHEAD OF THE LOW...STUBBORN
COLD AIR DAMMING IS NOTED ON THE MODELS ON EAST FACING SLOPES OF THE
WEST VIRGINIAN MOUNTAINS...WITH A GOOD WARM SURGE WEST OF THE
MOUNTAINS SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY. THUS...EXPECT A PERIOD OF
FREEZING RAIN ON EAST FACING SLOPES BEFORE CHANGING TO ALL RAIN
MONDAY MORNING. ELSEWHERE...RAIN. AMOUNT OF QPF LOOKS TO BE POSSIBLY
HEAVY...AND WILL HAVE TO WATCH WATER PROBLEMS CLOSELY IN ADDITION TO
CURRENT RAINFALL EVENTS. WITH STRONG ANTICYCLONIC CURVATURE IN THE
SURFACE HIGH BUILDING IN BEHIND THE SYSTEM MONDAY NIGHT...POST
FRONTAL SNOW SHOWERS DO NOT LOOK AS POTENT AND LONG LIVED AS ONE
WOULD THINK IN THE COLD ADVECTION UPSLOPE FLOW. THUS...MINOR SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED. HIGH PRESSURE BUILDS IN TUESDAY THRU
THURSDAY WITH DRY AND COLD WEATHER.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
GENERAL RULE THROUGH THE NIGHT WILL BE IFR CEILINGS WITH MVFR TO
IFR VISIBILITIES AS LARGE STORM SYSTEM CONTINUES TO IMPACT THE
REGION. SHOULD START TO SEE CEILINGS IMPROVE EARLY SATURDAY
MORNING ACROSS SE OHIO...THEN IMPROVEMENT TO MVFR AT TAF SITES
DURING THE DAY SATURDAY AS THE SYSTEM PULLS AWAY. THIS AFTERNOON
PRECIP SHOULD BE MAINLY RAIN BUT THEN PRECIPITATION TYPE BECOMES A
TOUGH CALL AT TIME AS COLD AIR BEGINS TO FILTER IN FROM THE WEST.
WESTERN TAF SITES WILL BE THE FIRST TO CHANGE...GOING FROM RAIN TO
SLEET TO SNOW OVER A SEVERAL HOUR TIME PERIOD. CAN NOT RULE OUT A
VERY BRIEF PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN...HOWEVER PAVEMENT WITH BE WARM
AND WET SO SHOULD NOT GET ANY ICE ACCUMULATION EXCEPT POSSIBLY ON
ELEVATED SURFACES. LIGHT SNOW SHOWERS WILL DECREASE FROM WEST TO
EAST SATURDAY MORNING.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: TIMING OF CATEGORICAL AND PRECIP CHANGES MAY VARY.

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       18   19   20   21   22   23   00   01   02   03   04   05
EST 1HRLY       13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   00
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    M    M    L
BKW CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    M    M    M    M    M    M
EKN CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    M    M    M    M
PKB CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    M    L
CKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    M    M

AFTER 18Z SATURDAY...
IFR POSSIBLE SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
SIGNIFICANT RISES ARE OCCURRING/EXPECTED ON RIVERS IN RESPONSE TO
ONGOING...PROLONGED RAIN WHICH IS EXPECTED TO LAST THROUGH TODAY.
RIVERS THAT ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE INCLUDE...BUT ARE NOT
LIMITED TO -- THE LITTLE SANDY INCLUDING GRAYSON...THE WEST FORK
INCLUDING CLARKSBURG...THE LITTLE
KANAWHA...MUD...POCATALICO...TYGART VALLEY...AND SYMMES CREEK.
RISES ARE ALSO EXPECTED ON SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS THAT DRAIN
INTO THESE LARGER...MAIN STEM WATERWAYS.

ANOTHER WET SYSTEM WILL EFFECT THE REGION ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY. WITH
THE RIVERS ALREADY RUNNING HIGH FROM THE CURRENT EVENT...THE
THREAT OF RIVER FLOODING REMAINS...AND EVEN INCREASES.

&&

.EQUIPMENT...
REPAIRS CONTINUE AT PARKERSBURG ASOS...AND AUTOMATED OBSERVATIONS
MAY BE UNAVAILABLE AT TIMES.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR WVZ005>011-013>020-
     024>032-037>040-047.
OH...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR OHZ067-075-076-
     083>087.
     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY UNTIL 1 AM EST SATURDAY FOR OHZ067-075-
     076-083-084.
     WINTER STORM WARNING UNTIL 1 AM EST SATURDAY FOR OHZ066.
KY...FLOOD WATCH THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR KYZ101>103-105.
VA...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...JMV/MZ/SL
NEAR TERM...MZ
SHORT TERM...JM
LONG TERM...JMV
AVIATION...MZ
HYDROLOGY...MZ
EQUIPMENT...MZ

Hazardous weather outlook, Dec 6, 2:17 PM EST, 13 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

KYZ101>103-105-OHZ085>087-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>032-039-040-071930-
GREENUP-CARTER-BOYD-LAWRENCE KY-MEIGS-GALLIA-LAWRENCE OH-WAYNE-
CABELL-MASON-JACKSON WV-WOOD-PLEASANTS-TYLER-LINCOLN-PUTNAM-KANAWHA-
ROANE-WIRT-CALHOUN-RITCHIE-DODDRIDGE-MINGO-LOGAN-BOONE-CLAY-BRAXTON-
GILMER-LEWIS-HARRISON-TAYLOR-UPSHUR-BARBOUR-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

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.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.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.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ035-036-046-071930-
RALEIGH-FAYETTE-POCAHONTAS-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH
LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

RAIN MAY CAUSE SOME MINOR WATER PROBLEMS IN POOR DRAINAGE AND LOW
LYING AREAS

.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.

   WINTER STORM WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ037-071930-
NICHOLAS-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH
LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

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.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.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.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   WINTER STORM WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

OHZ066-071930-
PERRY-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST SATURDAY...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST OHIO.

.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.

   WINTER STORM WARNING.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED SUNDAY INTO SUNDAY
NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

OHZ067-075-076-083-084-071930-
MORGAN-ATHENS-WASHINGTON-JACKSON OH-VINTON-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM EST SATURDAY...
...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHEAST OHIO.

.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.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.

.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.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

WVZ038-047-071930-
WEBSTER-RANDOLPH-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH
LATE SUNDAY NIGHT...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA AND
NORTHERN 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.

   FLOOD WATCH.

.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.

   FLOOD WATCH.
   WINTER STORM WATCH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

VAZ003-004-WVZ033-034-071930-
DICKENSON-BUCHANAN-MCDOWELL-WYOMING-
217 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA AND
SOUTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

RAIN MAY CAUSE SOME MINOR WATER PROBLEMS IN POOR DRAINAGE AND LOW
LYING AREAS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

A WINTRY MIX OF PRECIPITATION IS EXPECTED SUNDAY INTO SUNDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER
CONDITIONS ACCORDING TO STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Dec 6, 10:46 AM EST, 3 hours 44 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1046 AM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

KYZ101-OHZ067-075-076-083>087-WVZ007>011-017-019-020-031-061945-
ATHENS OH-DODDRIDGE WV-GALLIA OH-GREENUP KY-HARRISON WV-JACKSON WV-
JACKSON OH-LAWRENCE OH-MASON WV-MEIGS OH-MORGAN OH-PLEASANTS WV-
RITCHIE WV-TYLER WV-VINTON OH-WASHINGTON OH-WIRT WV-WOOD WV-
1046 AM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR NORTHERN GREENUP COUNTY IN
KENTUCKY...AND WASHINGTON...VINTON...SOUTHERN MORGAN...MEIGS...
NORTHERN LAWRENCE...JACKSON...GALLIA AND ATHENS COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST
OHIO...AND RITCHIE...TYLER...WOOD...WIRT...DODDRIDGE...WESTERN
HARRISON...NORTHERN JACKSON...NORTHERN MASON AND PLEASANTS COUNTIES
IN WEST VIRGINIA UNTIL 245 PM EST...

AT 1037 AM EST...RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA THROUGH
TODAY.  THIS ADDITIONAL RAIN COUPLED WITH THE RAINS THAT ALREADY
HAVE FALLEN MAY CAUSE SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS TO COME OUT OF THEIR
BANKS.  LOW AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS WILL SEE MINOR WATER PROBLEMS.

SOME STREAMS THAT ARE RUNNING HIGH ARE THE LITTLE MUSKINGUM, DUCK
CREEK, SHADE RIVER, RACCOON CREEK AND SYMMES CREEK IN OHIO.  OTHER
STREAMS AND CREEKS IN THE REGION ARE RUNNING HIGH AS WELL.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE ELEVATED LEVELS ON
SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...AND PONDING OF WATER ON COUNTRY ROADS AND
FARMLAND ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

YOU MAY REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BY POSTING YOUR REPORT TO THE
CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FACEBOOK PAGE...OR
BY USING THE TWITTER HASHTAG...NWSRLX.

LAT...LON 3959 8158 3959 8149 3965 8147 3955 8103
      3960 8096 3919 8036 3917 8059 3901 8109
      3904 8115 3898 8122 3859 8276 3865 8280
      3869 8271 3880 8266 3885 8277 3895 8281
      3923 8277 3967 8160

21

Special weather statement, Dec 6, 12:57 PM EST, 1 hour 33 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1257 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

KYZ101>103-105-OHZ086-087-WVZ005>008-013>019-024>030-036>039-062000-
BOONE WV-BOYD KY-BRAXTON WV-CABELL WV-CALHOUN WV-CARTER KY-CLAY WV-
FAYETTE WV-GALLIA OH-GILMER WV-GREENUP KY-JACKSON WV-KANAWHA WV-
LAWRENCE OH-LAWRENCE KY-LEWIS WV-LINCOLN WV-LOGAN WV-MASON WV-
MINGO WV-NICHOLAS WV-PUTNAM WV-RITCHIE WV-ROANE WV-UPSHUR WV-WAYNE WV-
WEBSTER WV-WIRT WV-
1257 PM EST FRI DEC 6 2013

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR GREENUP...CARTER...BOYD AND LAWRENCE
COUNTIES IN KENTUCKY...AND SOUTHERN LAWRENCE AND SOUTHERN GALLIA
COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST OHIO...AND SOUTHEASTERN RITCHIE...ROANE...
SOUTHWESTERN UPSHUR...WAYNE...WEBSTER...SOUTHEASTERN WIRT...BOONE...
BRAXTON...CABELL...CALHOUN...CLAY...NORTHWESTERN FAYETTE...GILMER...
SOUTHERN JACKSON...KANAWHA...LEWIS...LINCOLN...LOGAN...SOUTHERN
MASON...NORTHWESTERN MINGO...NICHOLAS AND PUTNAM COUNTIES IN WEST
VIRGINIA UNTIL 300 PM EST...

AT 1249 PM EST...RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE AREA THROUGH
TODAY.  THIS ADDITIONAL RAIN COUPLED WITH THE RAINS THAT ALREADY
HAVE FALLEN MAY CAUSE STREAMS AND CREEKS TO COME OUT OF THEIR
BANKS.  LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS WILL SEE MINOR WATER
PROBLEMS.

EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE ELEVATED LEVELS ON
SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS...AND PONDING OF WATER ON COUNTRY ROADS AND
FARMLAND ALONG THE BANKS OF CREEKS AND STREAMS.

DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS
SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.

YOU MAY REPORT SIGNIFICANT WEATHER BY POSTING YOUR REPORT TO THE
CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FACEBOOK PAGE...OR
BY USING THE TWITTER HASHTAG...NWSRLX.

LAT...LON 3872 8300 3858 8278 3903 8112 3909 8071
      3915 8052 3912 8038 3847 8023 3797 8144
      3799 8151 3791 8157 3764 8221 3770 8231
      3795 8252 3794 8257 3788 8261 3808 8295
      3811 8290 3817 8292 3818 8306 3828 8330

21

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Event by event

9 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flood, Kanawha

When: December 6, 2:30 PM EST to December 7, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Kanawha County, Alum Creek to 0.87 mi SW of Dry Branch
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $275,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.280, -81.800

Numerous small streams flooded and closed roads. Later, the minor flooding along the Elk River and the swollen Coal River also kept the most vulnerable low spots closed into the midday hours on the 7th. A few basements were flooded in Clendenin when the Elk River was cresting during the morning on the 7th. A few vehicles parked on Thorofare Road in Clendenin were also flooded. Some outbuildings were also flooded along the Elk River.

A few vehicles were damaged when they drove into flooded roads or underpasses and stalled.

Flood, Lincoln

When: December 6, 4:45 PM EST to December 7, 12:45 AM EST
Where: Lincoln County, West Hamlin to Griffithsville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.280, -82.200

Small stream flooding was common throughout the county. Roads were closed but structures were not affected. Straight Fork flooded and closed the road near the middle school near Griffithsville. A water rescue was performed from a vehicle along Sugartree Fork.

An observer in Hamlin measured a total of 2.7 inches of rain by evening.

Flood, Clay

When: December 6, 5:00 PM EST to December 7, 9:00 AM EST
Where: Clay County, Queen Shoals to Bickmore
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.470, -81.280

Small streams overflowed and closed roads. Later, the Elk River crested at Clay around 19.45 feet during the early morning hours on the 7th. Flood stage is 18 feet at Clay. The crest of about a foot over flood stage did not reach Queen Shoals and the Kanawha County border until just after dawn. Some outbuildings and summer camps were flooded. Fencing was damaged.

This was the first flood along the lower Elk River, though minor, in 10 years. The flood of November 2003 was more severe.

Flood, Boone

When: December 6, 6:30 PM EST to December 7, 1:30 AM EST
Where: Boone County, Julian to Ashford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $50,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.150, -81.850

Small streams overflowed and blocked roads. On Six Mile Creek west of Jeffrey a truck was pulled out of the water. Clogged culverts in Madison caused water to pond and get into one house. The house was not even in the flood plain.

Flood, Barbour

When: December 6, 6:37 PM EST to December 8, 6:00 AM EST
Where: Barbour County, Valley Furnace to 1 mi E of Junior
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.200, -79.870

Small streams overflowed onto roads during the evening of the 6th. A motorist had to be rescued along Route 38 near Valley Furnace from waters of Brushy Fork.

Later, on the 7th into the 8th, the Tygart Valley River crested slightly more than a foot over the 14 foot flood stage around the Belington reach of the river. This caused a few roads to be closed, such as the Talbot Road.

Flood, Nicholas

When: December 6, 7:00 PM EST to December 7, 2:00 AM EST
Where: Nicholas County, Tioga to 1 mi ESE of Bays
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.420, -80.650

Streams, including the headwaters of the Birch River, flooded roads across northern sections of the county.

Flood, Braxton

When: December 6, 7:30 PM EST to December 7, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Braxton County, Falls Mill to Gassaway Meadows Arp
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.770, -80.550

Numerous small streams and small headwater rivers, such as Little Birch, flooded roads.

Later, a strong rise on the Elk River caused road closures into the 7th.

Flood, Upshur

When: December 6, 8:30 PM EST to December 7, 4:00 PM EST
Where: Upshur County, Alexander to Beans Hill
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $100,000
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.780, -80.220

Small streams, feeding into the Buckhannon River overflowed onto roads. French Creek blocked Sago Road. The Evergreen to Alton Road was closed. The Washington District Volunteer Fire Department pulled one person from a flooded vehicle. Also, a girl had been washed into the stream. Luckily, she held onto tree branches until she was rescued. There were no injuries.

Later on the 7th, the Buckhannon River crested about a foot of the 23 foot flood stage in the community of Buckhannon. This caused some minor flooding to roads in town, such as Madison, Marion, and Wood Streets.

Flood, Webster

When: December 6, 9:00 PM EST to December 7, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Webster County, Guardian to Boggs
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 38.630, -80.470

Headwater creeks and small rivers of the Elk River flooded roads. A few examples included Grassy Creek, Hodam Creek, and the headwaters of the Birch River.

What these are

Flood: Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in West Virginia in 2013 Every state in 2013 This day in weather history Warnings in West Virginia, December 2013

Sources

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: 479397, 479332, 479396, 479333, 479343, 479398, 479393, 479346, 479344.