Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in West Virginia, September 1, 2021

Name: Flash Flooding and Heavy Rain in West Virginia, September 1, 2021
Start: 2021-09-01T00:00
End: 2021-09-01T15:00
Location: West Virginia

September 1, 2021 · NWS PBZ · 14 events in 4 counties and zones

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: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 14

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 PBZ wrote it up.

The remnant low pressure center of Hurricane Ida passed across West Virginia and the Central Appalachian Mountains from late August 31st through September 1st. The abundant moisture associated with the low intersected a frontal zone which was nearly stalled in the area of the Ohio Valley. Strong isentropic and frontogenetically-induced lift led to periods of heavy rain over eastern Ohio over the two-day period, both from thunderstorms ahead of the low and from a period of tropical rainfall during the morning of the 1st. Rain tapered off by the afternoon as the remnants of Ida pulled towards the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Rainfall totals over the two-day period across the northern panhandle were highest in Brooke and Ohio Counties, with 3 to 5 inches observed. The town of Bethany had a notable number of closed roads. Similar rain totals were seen in Preston and Tucker Counties as well, with many reports of flooding received. Roads feeding into the Cheat Valley Highway were impacted, and the towns of Tunnelton, Rowlesburg, and Terra Alta reported many road closures. In Albert, several homes were evacuated along Horseshoe Run Road.

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 Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 31, 11:54 PM EST, 6 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 31, 11:54 PM EST, 6 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
1254 AM EDT Wed Sep 1 2021

.SYNOPSIS...
The remnant of Ida will bring heavy rainfall and potentially
significant flood impacts to the Upper Ohio Valley today. Cooler,
drier air is expected through the rest of the week.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TODAY/...
No additional changes were needed for the overnight update.

The remnant of Ida will pass just southeast of the region late this
morning and early in the afternoon. The upper level energy streaking
north of the surface low will pass through the region this morning
and then begin to slowly drift eastward during the afternoon. With
the upper level energy shifting to the east, the axis of heavy rain
will also move toward central and eastern PA. Expect the axis of
heavy rain to be just south and east of Pittsburgh this morning with
2 to 3 inches of rain possible. North and west of the main axis,
rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are expected. Still seeing some
timing difference on how fast the entire system clears to the east
this afternoon, but overall consensus has the heavy rain axis east of
the forecast area by mid-afternoon.

Showers will end in the southeast early this evening.

&&

.SHORT TERM /TONIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Significantly cooler and drier air will filter in behind the remnant
as a rather amplified trough-ridge-trough longwave pattern develops
across the mid-latitudes of North America and strong high pressure
builds across the Great Lakes. This pattern will provide a dry and
comfortable end to the week.

&&

.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Labor Day Weekend looks to be mostly pleasant for the Upper Ohio
Valley and Allegheny Mountains. The longwave pattern is projected to
dampen, with the Pittsburgh forecast area placed in general WNW flow
aloft. Expect dry and cool weather with exception for a shortwave
passage forecast for Saturday night.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
Rain associated with the tropical remnant Ida wl deteriorate
conditions rapidly through MVFR to IFR overnight. Expect widespread
IFR until system passage heralds improvement back to VFR on
Wednesday eve.

A sufficient pres gradient should result in increasing NE wind Wed.
Wind should diminish and back to the NW Wed night as the low exits.

.Outlook...
The next genl restriction chc wl come with the crossing of a late
Saturday disturbance.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
PA...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for PAZ021>023-029-031-
     073>076.
OH...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for OHZ059-068-069.
WV...Flash Flood Watch through late tonight for WVZ002>004-012-021-
     509>514.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 31, 5:20 PM EST, 6 hours 40 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
620 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021

PAZ007>009-013-015-016-012230-
Mercer-Venango-Forest-Lawrence-Clarion-Jefferson PA-
620 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

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.

OHZ059-068-069-PAZ021>023-029-031-073>076-WVZ002>004-012-021-509>514-
012230-
Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Allegheny-Armstrong-Indiana-Washington-Greene-
Westmoreland-Higher Elevations of Westmoreland-Fayette-
Higher Elevations of Fayette-Brooke-Ohio-Marshall-Wetzel-Marion-
Monongalia-Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-
Preston-Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
620 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM EDT WEDNESDAY THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

OHZ039>041-048>050-057-058-PAZ014-020-WVZ001-012230-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Butler-Beaver-Hancock-
620 PM EDT Tue Aug 31 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flash Flood Watch.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 31, 7:45 PM EST, 4 hours 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
845 PM EDT TUE AUG 31 2021

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

0519 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 S FINLEYVILLE         40.23N 80.00W
08/31/2021                   WASHINGTON         PA   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM MPING: RIVER/CREEK OVERFLOWING;
            CROPLAND/YARD/BASEMENT FLOODING.

&&

Local storm report, Aug 31, 7:46 PM EST, 4 hours 14 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
846 PM EDT TUE AUG 31 2021

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

0637 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 SSE CALIFORNIA        40.05N 79.90W
08/31/2021                   WASHINGTON         PA   PUBLIC

            REPORT FROM MPING: STREET/ROAD FLOODING;
            STREET/ROAD CLOSED; VEHICLES STRANDED.

&&

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 158 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 flash flood, 1 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Tucker

When: September 1, 12:00 AM EST to 3:00 PM EST
Where: Tucker County, St George
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 39.170, -79.700

A storm total of 2.15 inches of rain was reported.

Flash Flood, Brooke

When: September 1, 6:07 AM EST to 10:23 AM EST
Where: Brooke County, 0.77 mi NNW of Wellsburg to 0.82 mi NW of Wellsburg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 40.280, -80.608

Flooding was reported on Route 2.

Flash Flood, Ohio

When: September 1, 8:00 AM EST to 9:26 AM EST
Where: Ohio County, 0.85 mi WNW of Shannon to 0.87 mi WNW of Shannon
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: State Official
Coordinates: 40.156, -80.644

A bridge to the North Fork Landfill was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood, Brooke

When: September 1, 8:40 AM EST to 10:23 AM EST
Where: Brooke County, 0.87 mi NW of Bethany to 0.96 mi N of Bethany
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 40.210, -80.560

The city of Bethany had many roads impacted by flooding. Cross Creek Road and Bethany Pike were also impacted.

Flash Flood, Preston

When: September 1, 9:55 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Preston County, 0.53 mi W of Rowlesburg to 0.66 mi NE of Rowlesburg
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.350, -79.680

Several area roads were closed due to flooding in the Rowlesburg area.

Flash Flood, Preston

When: September 1, 9:56 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Preston County, 0.72 mi SE of Terra Alta to 0.56 mi ESE of Terra Alta
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.443, -79.540

Route 7/East State Avenue by the Terra Alta Public Library is flooded. Water is reported to be getting close to businesses.

Flash Flood, Tucker

When: September 1, 11:22 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Tucker County, 2.62 mi NW of St George to 2.47 mi NW of St George
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.200, -79.730

Cheat Valley Highway was flooded at Bull Run Road.

Flash Flood, Tucker

When: September 1, 11:25 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Tucker County, 1.75 mi SW of Hannahsville to 1.84 mi SW of Hannahsville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.230, -79.720

Licking Creek Road was flooded at Cheat Vally Highway.

Flash Flood, Preston

When: September 1, 11:30 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Preston County, Fellowsville to 0.35 mi W of Fellowsville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.330, -79.820

Closed roads and flooded farmlands were reported around Fellowsville.

Flash Flood, Preston

When: September 1, 11:32 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Preston County, 0.31 mi E of Terra Alta to 1.01 mi S of Terra Alta
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.450, -79.544

Flooded roads were reported in Terra Alta.

Flash Flood, Preston

When: September 1, 11:33 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Preston County, 0.79 mi NNW of Tunnelton to 0.56 mi ESE of West End
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Broadcast Media
Coordinates: 39.390, -79.756

Roads and farmlands were reported to be flooded around Tunnelton.

Flash Flood, Tucker

When: September 1, 11:33 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Tucker County, 2.55 mi WSW of St George to 2.88 mi SW of St George
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.150, -79.740

The Mountaineer Highway near Parsons is impassable, with approximately 3 to 4 feet of water on the road.

Flash Flood, Tucker

When: September 1, 11:36 AM EST to 12:15 PM EST
Where: Tucker County, 7.1 mi W of St George to 6.8 mi WSW of St George
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: 911 Call Center
Coordinates: 39.150, -79.830

Quiet Dell Road was flooded and closed.

Flash Flood, Tucker

When: September 1, 1:02 PM EST to 3:00 PM EST
Where: Tucker County, 1.23 mi W of Lead Mine to 1.09 mi W of Lead Mine
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 39.179, -79.603

Some homes were evacuated along Horseshoe Run Road, with water entering one home.

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in West Virginia in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in West Virginia, September 2021

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: 984333, 984317, 984318, 984319, 984320, 984321, 984322, 984323, 984324, 984325, 984326, 984327, 984328, 984329.