Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon led to a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain. This caused some flooding in southeast Ohio.
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.
Moisture from the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon led to a prolonged period of moderate to heavy rain. This caused some flooding in southeast Ohio.
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 Sep 9, 8:12 AM EST, 1 hour 23 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Charleston WV
Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
912 AM EDT Sun Sep 9 2018
.SYNOPSIS...
The remnants of Gordon will bring moderate to heavy rain to the
region into Monday. High pressure to the north brings a quieter
midweek. Florence tracks to our east, perhaps close, late week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL NOON TODAY/...
As of 9100 AM Sunday...
Will increase pops a bit deeper into western West Virginia for
this morning based on current radar trends.
As of 620 AM Sunday...
Adjusted POPs to better reflect rain shield across Ohio River
Valley and north central WV.
As of 140 AM Sunday...
Can see the rainfall gradient starting to set up on radar as
the remnants of Gordon approach from the SW. Drying downslope
flow is taking over across the southern half of the western
slopes into the southern coal fields, with a persistent rain
shield setting up across the middle Ohio River Valley and
north central WV into the northern mountains. The rain shield
should slowly inch its way back east today and tonight as the
surface low moves into the Great Lakes and pushes a warm front
through today and then a cold front into the forecast area
tonight. There is good low level shear with the warm front, but
instability should be fairly limited. However, should any
pockets of sunshine break out this morning across the tri-state
into central WV, this could lead to some stronger organized
storms.
The heaviest rain amounts are still expected across Southeast
Ohio and into north central WV, where 3-5 inches is forecast
through tonight. This is a bit lower than the previous forecast
as the 00Z NAM and GFS are now maxing out around 4 inches across
the far NW forecast area. The 12Z ECMWF and 00Z Canadian are
still showing closer to 6 inches around Perry County. Heading
south and east the amounts taper off fairly quickly, with an
inch or less expected across the southern mountainous counties.
Have added additional counties along the Ohio River and into
north central WV into the flood watch. This covers the
anticipated flooding along the WV bank of the Ohio River. Also,
24 hour rainfall estimates from radar show a band of heavier
accumulation from Wirt County through Taylor County, so these
areas are already running on a bit of a surplus compared to
areas south. Felt it was prudent to extend the watch into these
areas with around 3 more inches of rain still expected.
Used a consensus blend for temperatures, which resulted in only
minor changes -- namely a couple degrees cooler for afternoon
highs today.
&&
.SHORT TERM /NOON TODAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 445 AM Sunday...
Models have trended faster with the passage of the trailing
cold front Monday, in the wake of the exiting remnants of
Gordon. Rain diminished Monday morning over the middle Ohio
Valley. However, as the system lifts through the eastern Great
Lakes, the front weakens and slows down in the mountains, and
showers are thus likely to linger into the afternoon there,
which, in turn, leads to the chance for thunderstorms in the
heat of the day. Farther west, there will be plenty of billowing
clouds in the low level moisture, with a shower or sprinkle
still possible.
Low clouds and post-rain fog are likely to develop Monday night
in the light low level flow, and temperatures trying to radiate
through the still relative;y high, lower to mid mid 60s, dew
points on a long September night. The fog is likely to linger
into Tuesday morning, and the low clouds into Tuesday
afternoon, as they mix into a somewhat higher based billowing
cumulus. There is also the chance for afternoon showers, even a
thunderstorm, in the mountains, given an inverted low level
trough and afternoon heating. Tuesday night is likely to bring
fog again.
Afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible again
Wednesday, this time about as far west as the Ohio River, as the
inverted low level trough drifts west. However, showers are
still most likely in the mountains, where a thunderstorm is
also possible. Wednesday night brings tranquility for the most
part, per upper level ridging building in from the east. Valley
fog is likely through.
Guidance is notably lower, compared with previous runs, on
highs Monday, with lowland highs in the lower to mid 70s making
for one of the coolest afternoons in a while. Highs then
moderate, reaching normal values Tuesday, and then above normal
for Wednesday. After another comfortable but still warmer than
normal Tuesday night, it turns muggy again for Wednesday night.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 445 AM Sunday...
All eyes will be on the track of Florence this period with two
main factors at play. The first is how far west it will track,
with the guidance envelop mainly between the east coast and the
central Appalachians. The second is how far north it gets,
which will depend upon how it interacts with upper level ridging
to its northeast, most notably placing the system under a light
steering flow.
Temperatures and dew points will be above normal in the tropical
regime.
&&
.AVIATION /13Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
As of 620 AM Sunday...
Prolonged period of rainfall expected across the middle Ohio
River Valley and across north central WV today and tonight.
More scattered showers and storms are expected farther south and
east. Expect a fair amount of restrictions through the period
with a mix of low clouds and reduced visibility in rain. Winds
will be a bit breezy out of the east to southeast through much
of the TAF period, turning more westerly early Monday as a cold
front begins pushing through.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY...
ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of category transitions may vary.
FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium.
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.
AFTER 12Z MONDAY...
IFR possible in showers and storms through Monday. IFR in
morning river valley fog possible Tuesday morning and into
midweek.
&&
.RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WV...Flood Watch through Monday evening for WVZ005>011-017-019-020-
031-032.
OH...Flood Watch through Monday evening for OHZ066-067-075-076-
083>087.
KY...Flood Watch through Monday evening for KYZ101>103-105.
VA...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...TRM/MZ
NEAR TERM...RPY
SHORT TERM...TRM
LONG TERM...TRM
AVIATION...MZHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV Issued by National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA 405 AM EDT Sun Sep 9 2018 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-017-019-020-031- 032-100815- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington- Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence OH-Wayne-Cabell-Mason- Jackson WV-Wood-Pleasants-Tyler-Wirt-Ritchie-Doddridge-Harrison- Taylor- 405 AM EDT Sun Sep 9 2018 ...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and portions of northern West Virginia and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today 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. There is also a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms. In addition to the heavy downpours and lightning, the main hazard from the thunderstorms will be wind. Trees rooted in saturated or unstable soil are more vulnerable to gusty winds, even with a minimal threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. 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 by calling the toll-free spotter hotline, or by other methods detailed at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports. VAZ003-004-WVZ013>016-018-024>030-033-034-039-040-515>526-100815- Dickenson-Buchanan-Lincoln-Putnam-Kanawha-Roane-Calhoun-Mingo-Logan- Boone-Clay-Braxton-Gilmer-Lewis-McDowell-Wyoming-Upshur-Barbour- Northwest Raleigh-Southeast Raleigh-Northwest Fayette- Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas-Southeast Nicholas- Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster-Northwest Pocahontas- Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph-Southeast Randolph- 405 AM EDT Sun Sep 9 2018 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, the eastern lowlands of West Virginia, and the West Virginia mountains. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. There is a marginal risk for excessive rainfall due to heavy rain from repetitive showers or thunderstorms. Isolated flooding or flash flooding is possible. There is also a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms. In addition to the heavy downpours and lightning, the main hazard from the thunderstorms will be wind. Trees rooted in saturated or unstable soil are more vulnerable to gusty winds, even with a minimal threat. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather conditions by calling the toll-free spotter hotline, or by other methods detailed at www.weather.gov/rlx/reports. TRM/MZ
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
10 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Four Mile Creek flooded, closing a section of Four Mile Road.
Route 140 was closed due to flooding along Hales Creek and Route 93 was closed due to flooding along Olive Creek.
The river gage on Symmes Creek at Aid also rose into minor flood stage. The creek crested at 19.1 feet, just above its 19 foot bank full level, on the evening of the 10th. This closed a section of Route 141 near Aid.
Multiple roads were closed due to flooding, including State Routes 325, 554, and 850.
High water caused the closure of State Routes 124 and 143.
The Shade River near Chester rose above its 17 foot bank full level shortly after midnight on the 10th. It crested just above 21 feet that afternoon, reaching moderate flood stage. It slowly returned to its banks by the next morning. This flooded the Sugar Run Creek Bridge and Oak Hill Road.
The Little Muskingum River at Bloomfield rose above its 16 foot flood stage early on the 10th. It crested at 18.5 feet, or minor flooding, that evening and returned to its banks by midnight. This flooded Route 26 near its intersection with Route 260.
Duck Creek at Macksburg rose above its 13 foot flood stage mid-morning on the 10th. It crested in minor flood stage at 13.3 feet that evening and returned to its banks later that night. This caused minor flooding along Broad Street in the town of Macksburg.
The river gage on the Ohio River at Belleville Lock showed the river rose above its 35 foot flood stage early on the 11th. The river crested in minor flood at around 36.5 feet just after midnight on the 12th before returning to its banks late that afternoon. This caused closures along Ohio State Route 124 in multiple places.
The river gage on the Ohio River at Marietta showed the river rose above is 35 foot flood stage around noon on the 11th. The river crested in minor flood around 35.3 feet late that evening before returning below flood stage shortly after midnight on the 12th. This flooded several roads in Marietta, including Stark Street at 7th Street, Pike Street at Wayne, and Elmwood Avenue and Greene Street near Don Drumm Field.
The river gage on the Ohio River at Willow Island Lock indicated the river rose above its 37 foot flood stage mid afternoon on the 11th. The river crested in minor flood, around 37.2 feet that evening and returned below flood stage shortly after midnight. This flooded sections of Ohio State Route 7, along with Township Roads 19 and 443.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, September 2018
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: 781066, 781069, 781072, 781075, 781082, 781079, 781077, 782482, 782485, 782486.