An upper level disturbance crossed West Virginia on August 11th leading to showers and thunderstorms moving through that morning. Several of these storms were slow moving and back-building which allowed for a few occurrences of flash flooding in West Virginia throughout the morning and afternoon.
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.
An upper level disturbance crossed West Virginia on August 11th leading to showers and thunderstorms moving through that morning. Several of these storms were slow moving and back-building which allowed for a few occurrences of flash flooding in West Virginia throughout the morning and afternoon. Rainfall amounts of up to 2.5 inches were observed and a mudslide occurred in the 9000 block of Coal River Road in Raleigh County. In Boone County, a few basements of structures received up to 5 to 6 feet of water due to flash flooding in the Hopkins Fork community.
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 Aug 11, 8:25 AM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 925 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021 .SYNOPSIS... Upper level disturbances bring isolated/scattered showers and storms through the work week, with the heat and humidity continuing. A cold front arrives Saturday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 925 AM Wednesday... Only minor tweaks to the forecast this morning. Did elect to issue a FFW across parts of Boone and Kanawha counties this morning due to a backbuilding storm that produced several inches of rain. This storm appears to finally be dissipating, but will need to watch an area to the south for continued development. As of 520 AM Wednesday... Outlook for today looks similar to that of yesterday with a continuation of oppressive heat and humidity courtesy of S/SW flow. Rossby wave situated to the north continues to have embedded shortwaves pivot through, enhancing shower and storm chances at times, which is currently the case across the Southern Great Lakes and Upper Ohio Valley. Several showers and storms have flared up within the last hour or two across northern portions of the area. The outlook for today will feature continued shower/storm chances. Given the lack of confidence with what is progged by the CAMs, opted to go with a general 40-50% PoP today across the region. Anticipate an increase in showers and storms throughout the morning as the shortwave passes to the north, with more diurnally driven activity throughout the afternoon. Activity should then dissipate as the evening progresses, leading to a relatively quiet overnight, with valley fog possible in the sheltered valleys of southern and eastern WV. Portions of SE OH and N WV are under a marginal risk for severe weather today, with the main threats being damaging wind gusts and hail, as well as heavy downpours. Instability is progged to be moderate to high (ML CAPE of 1500-3000 J/Kg) across much of the region, so there is the potential for strong and a few severe storms across the entirety of the area today. In addition, with high PW values, the threat for isolated water issues will be present with any slow moving thunderstorms or if an area is impacted by multiple thunderstorms. The final aspect for today will be high temperatures that are progged to reach the low 90s at lower elevations. Went middle of the road for highs today, as convection and where it develops this afternoon will influence high temperatures. Dewpoints in the low to mid 70s this afternoon will result in heat indices in the mid 90s, to near 100, at lower elevations. && .SHORT TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 230 AM Wednesday... Models show the current pattern continuing through the work week. This will keep above normal temperatures with humid conditions. Afternoon heating will create showers and thunderstorms each day, with some upper level disturbances also providing forcing for some showers and thunderstorms at other times of the day. Could see a few storms with damaging winds, and possibly hail, both Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening. Do have some concerns that the heat index could meet advisory criteria on Thursday afternoon. Some drier low level air may limit cloud cover more than other days. This could allow for temperatures to get a few degrees higher, with heat indices in the lowlands possibly reaching above 100 for several hours. Will need to keep a close eye on this situation. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 230 AM Wednesday... A cold front will move into the area late Friday night or Saturday as an upper level trough slides eastward. This trough does not extend very far south however, so the front should stall over or just south of the region. The upper level trough will slide eastward late in the weekend and into early next week, allowing for ridging aloft. This will allow tropical storm Fred to slide northward out of the Gulf of Mexico, pushing tropical moisture into the region for Monday and Tuesday. && .AVIATION /14Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 624 AM Wednesday... VFR conditions persist currently across most terminals, with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms having developed within the last few hours. Brief MVFR restrictions due to visibility reductions will be possible with any heavier showers or thunderstorms. The chance for shower/storms will then continue through the rest of the day, then begin to dissipate as the evening progresses, leading to a quiet finish for the remainder of the TAF period. Patchy valley fog will be possible across southern/eastern WV, possibly impacting EKN Thursday morning. Winds today will increase to 5-10 kts out of the SW, with a few gusts of 15-20 kts possible. Brief gusty winds will also be possible with any thunderstorms. Winds tonight will be light out of the S/SSW. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium to high. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Shower/storm arrival times at terminals could vary from the TAFs, with brief MVFR restrictions possible under any heavier showers or thunderstorms. 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 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 EDT 1HRLY 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 CRW CONSISTENCY M 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 L H H H H H H H H H H H PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H AFTER 12Z THURSDAY... IFR restrictions possible in fog in the mountain valleys Friday morning. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...RPY/04 NEAR TERM...SL/04 SHORT TERM...RPY LONG TERM...RPY AVIATION...04
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 344 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021 VAZ003-004-WVZ032>034-039-040-515>526-120745- Dickenson-Buchanan-Taylor-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- 344 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, and portions of central West Virginia, northeast West Virginia, northern West Virginia, southeast West Virginia and southern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A few of the stronger thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could produce damaging winds and/or large hail. Isolated water issues are also possible if thunderstorms hit the same location multiple times. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. A few of the stronger thunderstorms Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening could produce damaging winds and/or large hail. Isolated water issues are also possible Thursday and Friday if thunderstorms hit the same location multiple times. .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. KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>031- 120745- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington- Jackson OH-Vinton-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- 344 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and portions of central West Virginia, northern West Virginia, southern West Virginia and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A few of the stronger thunderstorms this afternoon and evening could produce damaging winds and/or large hail. Isolated water issues are also possible if thunderstorms hit the same location multiple times. In addition, heat indices today will reach the middle 90s to around 100. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. A few of the stronger thunderstorms Thursday and Friday afternoon and evening could produce damaging winds and/or large hail. Isolated water issues are also possible Thursday and Friday if thunderstorms hit the same location multiple times. Heat indices on Thursday will reach into the upper 90s to lower 100s. A heat advisory may be necessary. Heat indices on Friday will once again reach the upper 90s to lower 100s in a few spots. .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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
755 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
WVZ525-526-111230-
Northwest Randolph WV-Southeast Randolph WV-
755 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Randolph
County through 830 AM EDT...
At 755 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Dailey, or 8 miles south of Elkins, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Dailey, Beverly and Glady.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3875 7953 3869 7960 3866 7960 3867 7962
3866 7963 3868 7963 3869 7966 3866 7969
3869 7971 3868 7974 3872 7973 3874 7976
3873 7979 3876 7991 3886 7991 3887 7951
3884 7954 3883 7952 3881 7953 3879 7950
TIME...MOT...LOC 1155Z 275DEG 27KT 3881 7984
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
839 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
WVZ015-026-111330-
Boone WV-Kanawha WV-
839 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Kanawha and central Boone Counties through 930 AM EDT...
At 839 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Madison, moving east at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Madison, Danville, Whitesville, Sylvester, Seth, Foster, Turtle Creek
and Prenter.
This includes Route 119 between mile markers 47 and 55.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3802 8188 3813 8187 3815 8147 3799 8148
3798 8149 3798 8150 3799 8151 3797 8153
3797 8154 3796 8155
TIME...MOT...LOC 1239Z 266DEG 7KT 3807 8170
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
20Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1004 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
WVZ027-519-111445-
Clay WV-Northwest Nicholas WV-
1004 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of north central
Nicholas and central Clay Counties through 1045 AM EDT...
At 1003 AM EDT, emergency management reported a strong thunderstorm
with very heavy rain near Clay, moving southeast at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and very heavy rainfall.
SOURCE...Emergency management.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Some minor flooding in low lying and
poor drainage areas is also possible.
Locations impacted include...
Summersville, Clay, Birch River, Harrison, Widen, Calvin, Canvas,
Ivydale and Muddlety.
This includes Route 19 between mile markers 42 and 60.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on
small creeks and streams, and ponding of water in urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage
areas and low lying spots.
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.
&&
LAT...LON 3824 8076 3840 8113 3858 8104 3855 8091
3854 8091 3853 8089 3851 8088 3853 8083
3850 8068 3845 8065
TIME...MOT...LOC 1403Z 292DEG 19KT 3847 8100
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
14Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
1023 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
WVZ013-015-026-111500-
Boone WV-Kanawha WV-Lincoln WV-
1023 AM EDT Wed Aug 11 2021
...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of central Kanawha, east
central Lincoln and northeastern Boone Counties through 1100 AM
EDT...
At 1023 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Sissonville to near Julian. Movement was
east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Charleston, Jefferson, South Charleston, St. Albans, Dunbar,
Sissonville, Chesapeake, Marmet, Belle, Cross Lanes, Pinch,
Institute, Coal Fork, Elkview, Alum Creek, Seth, Ashford and Racine.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 79 between mile markers 1 and 16.
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 96 and 115.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 49 and 57.
West Virginia Turnpike between mile markers 84 and 95.
Route 119 between mile markers 61 and 80.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause elevated levels on
small creeks and streams, and ponding of water in urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage
areas and low lying spots.
&&
LAT...LON 3810 8171 3819 8186 3845 8177 3847 8172
3850 8173 3851 8174 3853 8174 3856 8149
3855 8147 3855 8145 3854 8139 3808 8152
TIME...MOT...LOC 1423Z 259DEG 14KT 3848 8169 3821 8178
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
20The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 31 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 14:43 UTC.
3 flash flood, 1 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
High water was observed in several locations along Prenter Road.
Street flooding was observed in the town of Clay.
Near Bolt Mountain, both lanes of the 5000 block of Bolt Road were closed due to high water.
A few structures had water up to around 5 to 6 feet deep in their basements due to flooding within the Hopkins Fork community along Prenter Road.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2021Every state in 2021This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, August 2021
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: 966002, 966272, 965999, 966003.