Flash Flooding and Flooding in West Virginia, April 8 to 10, 2015

Name: Flash Flooding and Flooding in West Virginia, April 8 to 10, 2015
Start: 2015-04-08T12:21
End: 2015-04-10T09:45
Location: West Virginia

April 8 to 10, 2015 · NWS RLX · 29 events in 14 counties and zones

Thunderstorms existed at dawn on the 8th in Indiana. With support for the mid and upper level winds, this mesoscale convective complex maintained its intensity through the morning.

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: $115,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 29

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.

Thunderstorms existed at dawn on the 8th in Indiana. With support for the mid and upper level winds, this mesoscale convective complex maintained its intensity through the morning. It raced southeast at 50 mph into western West Virginia during the afternoon. Most areas saw brief wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph and rains of a quarter to a half inch. A stronger wind gust was observed by the Elkins airport.

A few stronger cells formed on the southwestern inflow portion of this complex and moved into Mingo and McDowell Counties.

After a lull, additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms moved into West Virginia after sunset. These showers caused flooding overnight into the 9th across northern counties. Most of the flooding was minor.

Distinct thunderstorm cells formed during the afternoon on the 9th. Hail was associated with the stronger storms. One storm, that showed considerable mid level rotation moved into Wood County. No evidence of a tornado was found.

Widespread showers along the cold front followed during the morning of the 10th. This final round of showers caused some minor flooding. Middlebourne had 1.8 inches of rain from both the Thursday convection and the final round of showers early on the 10th.

In the wake of the cold front, drier air finally moved into the state during the afternoon of the 10th.

Eventually, another disaster was declared by the federal government. See FEMA disaster 4220 for more information.

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 Apr 8, 9:38 AM EST, 2 hours 43 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 8, 9:38 AM EST, 2 hours 43 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1038 AM EDT WED APR 8 2015

.SYNOPSIS...
A WARM AND MOIST SOUTH TO SOUTHWEST WIND FLOW WILL BRING ROUNDS OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. COLD FRONT CROSSES AT
THE END OF THE WORK WEEK.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
1025 AM UPDATE...THE 12Z HRRR HAS FINALLY LATCHED ON TO CONVECTION
COMING ACROSS INDIANA...UP TO THIS POINT EVERYTHING TRIED TO KEEP
ACTIVITY WELL TO OUR NORTH...BUT THE RECENT HRRR AND NEW 12Z NAM
AS ITS JUST ROLLING IN ARE MUCH MORE BELIEVABLE ROLLING A LINE OF
CONVECTION ACROSS SOUTHERN OHIO LATE THIS MORNING INTO THIS
AFTERNOON. RELIED VERY HEAVILY ON THE 12Z HRRR TO UPDATE POPS.
THINGS MAY BE SPEEDING UP JUST A TOUCH...SO MAY NEED TO ADJUST
TIMING AGAIN IN A COUPLE HOURS AS THINGS APPROACH. DECENT
LINE...ALTHOUGH HAVE NOT SEEN ANY SEVERE LEVEL LSRS OUT OF
UPSTREAM OFFICES...BUT EXPECT AT LEAST SOME RISK OF SEVERE LEVEL
WINDS AS THIS LINE CONTINUES TOWARD US. HAVE COORDINATED A SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WATCH INTO OUR WESTERN COUNTIES.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSION...
MESO NAM SHOWS A BOUNDARY MOVING INTO THE FORECAST AREA THIS
AFTERNOON PRODUCING SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. TRACING THIS BOUNDARY
BACK TO THE CURRENT TIME...IT MATCHES WELL WITH CONVECTION OVER
MISSOURI AND IOWA. THEREFORE...WILL CONTINUE WITH LIKELY POPS
PROPAGATING WEST TO EAST DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS. WITH THIS BAND
HITTING DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS...AM A BIT CONCERNED ABOUT THE
POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING. HOWEVER...NAM IS SHOWING THE BAND
ORIENTATION IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE STORM MOVEMENT WITH A DECENT 15
KNOT MOVEMENT. IN ADDITION...PRECIPITABLE WATER IS NOT THAT HIGH.
THEREFORE...WILL HOLD OFF ON A WATCH FOR NOW AND CONTINUE TO
HIGHLIGHT IN THE HWO.

NAM HAS ANOTHER DISTURBANCE MOVING OVER TONIGHT THAT IS NOT
REFLECTED IN THE GFS. THIS BAND ORIGINATES FROM A VORTICITY LOBE
DURING CONVECTION THIS AFTERNOON. THAT LEADS TO A LOWER
CONFIDENCE...SO WILL BE FAIRLY GENERIC WITH POPS.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
WARMEST DAY OF THE WEEK STILL SHAPING UP FOR WEDNESDAY. STILL TRICKY
FORECASTING HIGHS AS AREA WILL BE BATTLING SHRA/TSRA
CHANCES...ESPECIALLY EARLY AND ACROSS SE OH AND N WV. WILL ROLL A
MIDDLE GROUND SOLUTION WITH LOW 80S...PRIMARILY ACROSS S ZONES. IT
WILL BE BREEZY AMID STRENGTHENING S FLOW. CANT RULE OUT A FEW SHRA
AND TSRA IN THE AFTERNOON. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BE STRONG TO
SVR...ESPECIALLY ACROSS SE OH.

A BREEZY AND WARM NIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT WITH THE COLD FRONT MAKING AN
APPROACH ON OUR WESTERN FLANK AFTER MIDNIGHT. MODELS CONTINUE TO
SPEED UP THE FRONT...NOW BLOWING IT THRU BY MIDDAY FRIDAY. SO...HAVE
THE BOUNDARY CROSSING THE OH RIVER 12Z FRIDAY AND C WV 15Z...EXITING
THE MOUNTAINS BY 18Z. WILL HAVE SOME FRONTAL SHRA/TSRA TO CONTEND
WITH...SOME OF WHICH COULD BE STRONG TO LOW END SVR AS HIGHLIGHTED
BY SPC CONVECTIVE OUTLOOK.

CLEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE FRESHENING POSTFRONTAL AIRMASS
FRIDAY NIGHT. THIS WILL TAKE US INTO WHAT WILL BE A STELLAR
WEEKEND...WITH MILD DAYTIME TEMPS AND A PARTLY CLOUDY SKY. TI WILL
CHILL OFF PRETTY GOOD SATURDAY NIGHT WITH HIGH PRESSURE OVERHEAD
WITH A FROST CONCERN FOR THE LOWLANDS.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
MODELS ARE QUICKER WITH THE COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE ON FRIDAY LEAVING
FRIDAY NIGHT MOSTLY DRY. THE OUTLIER IS THE ECMWF WHICH LAGS ABOUT 6
HOURS IN ITS QPF FIELD. WENT WITH THE CONSENSUS OF MODELS WITH A
FASTER SOLUTIONS.

HIGH PRESSURE BRINGS WIDESPREAD DRY WEATHER FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THE
WEEKEND. ANOTHER UPPER WAVE APPROACHES MONDAY BRINGING BACK CHANCES
FOR PCPN ACROSS THE AREA.

TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO BE WARM REACHING THE UPPER 70S THROUGH THE
PERIOD...EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHT COOL DOWN BEHIND THE COLD FRONT
SATURDAY...GENERALLY IN THE MID TO UPPER 60S. WENT CLOSE TO WPC
GUIDANCE WITH FEW TWEAKS THROUGH THE PERIOD.

&&

.AVIATION /14Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
A STRATUS DECK ACROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING HAS SOME HOLES THAT HAVE
ALLOWED PATCHY FOG. AFTER ANY MORNING FOG BURNS OFF THIS
MORNING...EXPECT THE STRATUS DECK TO CHANGE INTO A CUMULUS
DECK...GRADUALLY RISING DURING THE DAY. AN AREA OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON...BEGINNING FIRST IN
SOUTHEAST OHIO AND NORTHEASTERN KY...THEN PUSHING EASTWARD. BRIEF
IFR RESTRICTIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE STRONG CELLS.

CLOUDS SHOULD GENERALLY BE VFR WEDNESDAY EVENING...BUT DEPENDING ON
SKY COVER...SOME PATCHES OF FOG COULD ALSO FORM. SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN A POSSIBILITY TONIGHT. THE HEIGHT OF ANY
CLOUD DECKS LATE TONIGHT IS HARD TO FORECAST...AS MOISTURE AT MOST
LEVELS COULD FORM A CLOUD DECK.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY...

FORECAST CONFIDENCE: MEDIUM TODAY...LOW TONIGHT.

ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: TIMING AND DENSITY OF FOG THIS MORNING AND
TONIGHT COULD VARY. STRONGER STORMS THIS AFTERNOON COULD CAUSE BRIEF
IFR CONDITIONS.

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       14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   00   01
EDT 1HRLY       10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18   19   20   21
CRW CONSISTENCY  M    H    M    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    M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
EKN CONSISTENCY  M    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H
PKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    M    M    M    H    H    H    H    H    H
CKB CONSISTENCY  H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H    H

AFTER 12Z THURSDAY...
BRIEF IFR POSSIBLE IN SHOWERS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH FRIDAY.

&&

.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...NONE.
OH...NONE.
KY...NONE.
VA...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...ARJ/RPY/30
NEAR TERM...RPY/MZ
SHORT TERM...30
LONG TERM...ARJ
AVIATION...RPY

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 8, 11:36 AM EST, 45 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1236 PM EDT WED APR 8 2015

KYZ101>103-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-091645-
GREENUP-CARTER-BOYD-PERRY-MORGAN-ATHENS-WASHINGTON-JACKSON OH-VINTON-
MEIGS-GALLIA-LAWRENCE OH-
1236 PM EDT WED APR 8 2015

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 32 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST KENTUCKY AND
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.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE WITH SOME OF THESE STORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING. REPETITIVE STORMS COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.

IN ADDITION...THERE IS A SLIGHT RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS
THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. THE GREATEST THREAT OF SEVERE
WEATHER WILL BE LARGE HAIL AND LOCALLY DAMAGING WINDS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

KYZ105-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>040-091645-
LAWRENCE KY-DICKENSON-BUCHANAN-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-MCDOWELL-WYOMING-RALEIGH-FAYETTE-NICHOLAS-WEBSTER-UPSHUR-
BARBOUR-
1236 PM EDT WED APR 8 2015

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 33 IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST
KENTUCKY...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA 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.

   SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH.

LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE WITH SOME OF THESE STORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING. REPETITIVE STORMS COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

WVZ046-047-091645-
POCAHONTAS-RANDOLPH-
1236 PM EDT WED APR 8 2015

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT.

A FEW LOCALLY STRONG THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON
AND EARLY TONIGHT. LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS ARE POSSIBLE
WITH SOME OF THESE STORMS.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

ROUNDS OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY
MORNING. REPETITIVE STORMS COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Apr 8, 10:11 AM EST, 2 hours 10 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1111 AM EDT WED APR 8 2015

KYZ101-103-OHZ066-075-083>087-081530-
ATHENS OH-BOYD KY-GALLIA OH-GREENUP KY-JACKSON OH-LAWRENCE OH-
MEIGS OH-PERRY OH-VINTON OH-
1111 AM EDT WED APR 8 2015

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR GREENUP AND BOYD COUNTIES IN
KENTUCKY...AND VINTON...PERRY...NORTHWESTERN MEIGS...LAWRENCE...
JACKSON...WESTERN GALLIA AND WESTERN ATHENS COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST
OHIO UNTIL 1130 AM EDT...

AT 1100 AM EDT...A FAST MOVING COMPLEX OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS
WAS RACING EAST...ACROSS WESTERN OHIO...AT 50 MPH.

THESE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE MOVING THROUGH SOUTHEAST
OHIO AND NORTHEAST KENTUCKY BETWEEN NOON AND 1 O'CLOCK.

STRONG GUSTY WINDS AND BRIEF DOWNPOURS ARE LIKELY. A QUICK HALF TO
THREE QUARTER OF AN INCH OF RAIN COULD FALL.  IF INVOLVED IN OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES...BE PREPARED TO MOVE INDOORS QUICKLY.

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 3992 8230 3981 8207 3922 8199 3857 8248
      3836 8277 3836 8278 3855 8311 3873 8303
      3876 8289 3858 8281 3876 8267 3895 8281
      3938 8274 3939 8230 3948 8228 3948 8217
      3955 8217 3960 8239 3984 8246 3993 8240

22

Local storm report, Apr 8, 11:53 AM EST, 28 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1253 PM EDT WED APR 08 2015

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 PM     TSTM WND DMG     COALTON                 39.11N  82.61W
04/08/2015                   JACKSON            OH   911 CALL CENTER

            SEVERAL TREES DOWN NEAR THE COALTON AREA.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RLX1501149

DTC

Local storm report, Apr 8, 12:04 PM EST, 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
104 PM EDT WED APR 08 2015

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1258 PM     HAIL             POINT PLEASANT          38.85N  82.13W
04/08/2015  E0.25 INCH       MASON              WV   PUBLIC

            PEA SIZE HAIL OBSERVED IN POINT PLEASANT WEST VIRGINIA

&&

EVENT NUMBER RLX1501150

SL

Local storm report, Apr 8, 12:06 PM EST, 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
106 PM EDT WED APR 08 2015

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1248 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 NW POINT PLEASANT     38.89N  82.18W
04/08/2015  E60 MPH          GALLIA             OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            ESTIMATED 60 MPH WINDS...TIME ESTIMATED BASED ON RADAR.

&&

EVENT NUMBER RLX1501151

DTC

Local storm report, Apr 8, 12:17 PM EST, 4 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
117 PM EDT WED APR 08 2015

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1240 PM     HAIL             6 SW VINTON             38.92N  82.41W
04/08/2015  E0.25 INCH       GALLIA             OH   TRAINED SPOTTER

            PEA SIZED HAIL...TIME ESTIMATED BY RADAR

&&

EVENT NUMBER RLX1501152

DTC

Special weather statement, Apr 8, 12:18 PM EST, 3 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
118 PM EDT WED APR 8 2015

OHZ076-WVZ009-017-081745-
WASHINGTON OH-WIRT WV-WOOD WV-
118 PM EDT WED APR 8 2015

...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON...WOOD AND
NORTHWESTERN WIRT COUNTIES...

AT 110 PM EDT...A LINE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WAS RACING
EAST...THROUGH ATHENS AND MEIGS COUNTIES IN OHIO.  MOVEMENT WAS
EAST AROUND 50 MPH.

THIS LINE WILL MOVE THROUGH WASHINGTON AND WOOD COUNTIES AND INTO
WIRT AND PLEASANT COUNTIES THROUGH 2 O"CLOCK. THIS INCLUDES THE
MARIETTA AND PARKERSBURG VICINITY.  CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO
IMPROVE BETWEEN 2 AND 3 PM.

A BRIEF WIND GUST OF 40 TO 50 MPH... AND HAIL UP TO DIME SIZE ARE
POSSIBLE.

THIS WILL IMPACT THE FOLLOWING INTERSTATES...I-77 BETWEEN MILE
MARKERS 1 AND 6 IN OHIO...AND BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 157 AND 186 IN
WEST VIRGINIA.

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 3946 8138 3935 8134 3933 8137 3932 8133
      3922 8129 3914 8133 3913 8131 3896 8151
      3901 8153 3909 8174 3918 8176 3927 8172
      3927 8181 3932 8185 3944 8185 3949 8178
      3948 8171 3953 8172 3957 8166

22

The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 66 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 17:22 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

21 hail, 4 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind, 2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Mason

When: April 8, 12:21 PM EST
Where: Mason County, 0.79 mi WNW of Flatrock
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.852, -82.034

A spotter measured a 63 mph wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Wirt

When: April 8, 1:00 PM EST
Where: Wirt County, 1.35 mi ESE of Elizabeth
Measured: 40 kt (46 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $4,000
Reported by: County Official
Coordinates: 39.065, -81.376

A large section of a metal roof to a mobile home was blown off.

Hail, Mingo

When: April 8, 3:15 PM EST
Where: Mingo County, Matewan
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.620, -82.170

Some vehicles were dented.

Hail, Mingo

When: April 8, 3:40 PM EST
Where: Mingo County, Wharncliffe
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.550, -81.970

Hail, McDowell

When: April 8, 3:43 PM EST
Where: McDowell County, 1.94 mi SW of Mohawk
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 37.479, -81.954

Large hail fell along Bull Creek.

Hail, McDowell

When: April 8, 4:00 PM EST
Where: McDowell County, Iaeger
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.450, -81.820

Hail, McDowell

When: April 8, 4:00 PM EST
Where: McDowell County, Panther
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.480, -81.900

Hail, McDowell

When: April 8, 4:10 PM EST
Where: McDowell County, Avondale
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Property damage: $10,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 37.420, -81.780

Flash Flood, Harrison

When: April 8, 11:10 PM EST to April 9, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Harrison County, West Milford to 1.96 mi W of West Milford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.200, -80.400

Six to 8 inches of flowing water was across roads around West Milford. The intersection of Route 19 with Good Hope Road was closed.

Flash Flood, Ritchie

When: April 9, 1:00 AM EST to 3:00 AM EST
Where: Ritchie County, 1.1 mi ENE of Pennsboro to 1.15 mi S of Ellenboro
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.285, -80.951

Small streams rose quickly and blocked roads including Route 74 and Lamberton Road. A rain gauge near Ellenboro measured 1.8 inches in 24 hours, most of which fell in less than 6 hours.

Flood, Doddridge

When: April 9, 3:30 AM EST to 10:30 AM EST
Where: Doddridge County, 1 mi NW of West Union to 1 mi NW of Oxford
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.310, -80.793

Small streams overflowed. Minor flooding occurred. A few roads were blocked including Route 18 and Couty Route 50 near Blandville. West Union measured 1.55 inches of rain.

Flood, Lewis

When: April 9, 4:00 AM EST to 9:30 AM EST
Where: Lewis County, Weston to Jane Lew
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.030, -80.450

The overnight rains caused streams to overflow. High water closed a few roads in the northern portion of the county.

Hail, Ritchie

When: April 9, 2:45 PM EST to 2:47 PM EST
Where: Ritchie County, 1.75 mi ESE of Prunty to 2.5 mi SSW of Berea
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 39.110, -80.970

Hail as large as half dollars fell, including along Route 74.

Hail, Wood

When: April 9, 4:45 PM EST
Where: Wood County, Boaz
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.370, -81.480

Hail, Wood

When: April 9, 4:47 PM EST
Where: Wood County, (Pkb)wilson Fld Prkr
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.350, -81.430

Hail, Wood

When: April 9, 4:56 PM EST
Where: Wood County, Boaz
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 39.370, -81.480

Hail, Wood

When: April 9, 5:00 PM EST
Where: Wood County, 1.07 mi W of (Pkb)wilson Fld Prkr
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 39.350, -81.450

Hail, Doddridge

When: April 9, 5:47 PM EST
Where: Doddridge County, 0.87 mi NE of Leopold
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.130, -80.740

Hail, Lewis

When: April 9, 5:50 PM EST
Where: Lewis County, 5 mi W of Jane Lew
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.120, -80.493

Hail, Lewis

When: April 9, 5:55 PM EST
Where: Lewis County, 2.76 mi WNW of Lightburn
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.142, -80.493

Large hail fell near the county line with Harrison County.

Hail, Lewis

When: April 9, 6:00 PM EST
Where: Lewis County, Jane Lew
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.120, -80.400

Hail as large as ping pong balls fell.

Hail, Harrison

When: April 9, 6:05 PM EST
Where: Harrison County, Lost Creek
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 39.170, -80.350

Hail, Gilmer

When: April 9, 6:05 PM EST
Where: Gilmer County, Sand Fork
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.920, -80.750

Hail, Braxton

When: April 9, 6:10 PM EST
Where: Braxton County, 2.66 mi ENE of Burnsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.870, -80.608

Hail, Upshur

When: April 9, 6:25 PM EST
Where: Upshur County, 0.7 mi WSW of Abbott
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 38.916, -80.332

Hail, Braxton

When: April 9, 6:58 PM EST
Where: Braxton County, 1.32 mi NNE of Burnsville
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.868, -80.644

Hail, Randolph

When: April 9, 7:15 PM EST
Where: Randolph County, Elkins
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.920, -79.850

Flash Flood, Tyler

When: April 10, 7:45 AM EST to 9:45 AM EST
Where: Tyler County, Lonetree to 0.5 mi S of Wick
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $25,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.530, -80.820

Small streams quickly flooded roads.

Flash Flood, Wood

When: April 10, 7:50 AM EST to 9:30 AM EST
Where: Wood County, Wadeville to Rockport
Cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.150, -81.630

Streams quickly flooded roads. Little Tygart Creek flooded and closed a golf course near Mineral Wells.

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
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 2015 Every state in 2015 This day in weather history Warnings in West Virginia, April 2015

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: 559239, 559235, 559222, 559231, 559225, 559223, 559224, 559232, 559234, 559240, 559254, 559242, 560755, 560682, 560683, 560684, 560685, 560686, 560687, 560688, 560689, 560690, 560691, 560692, 560693, 560694, 560695, 560769, 560772.