A slow moving low pressure system, along with plenty of moisture, allowed for showers and thunderstorms to gradually move through the Ohio Valley during the day on May 6th. Heavy rainfall occurred with these storms and additional storm and shower activity developed over the same areas.
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.
A slow moving low pressure system, along with plenty of moisture, allowed for showers and thunderstorms to gradually move through the Ohio Valley during the day on May 6th. Heavy rainfall occurred with these storms and additional storm and shower activity developed over the same areas. A swath of 3 to 4 inches of rain fell in a narrow corridor from Huntington northeastward to Elkins, with a few isolated pockets of 4 to 5 reported. This led to considerable flash flooding. A few stronger storms also developed, one of which led to an area of tree damage in Randolph County.
Multiple water rescues took place throughout the Metro Valley, including a man who was swept away while working on his tractor in Cabell County. Additionally, several vehicles were submerged in flood waters and over one hundred homes were impacted by high water with the hardest hit area being the Enslow Park community of Huntington. Flooding occurred across many roadways throughout West Virginia, leaving multiple roads impassable for a time until the water receded.
Even after the rain had concluded, several rivers in the state rose out of their banks for the next several days. This resulted in flooding along areas adjacent to the rivers.
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 May 6, 6:30 AM EST, 2 hours earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 730 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022 .SYNOPSIS... Slow moving system brings unsettled weather overnight through Saturday night. High pressure yields dry and warm, but not humid, weather Sunday through most of next week. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 600 AM Friday... No major changes made to public forecast parameters, just minor POP tweaks. This update was mainly to tweak Some TAFs to account for anticipated breaks in the precip. As of 245 AM Friday... A few returns on radar have skirted the area so far overnight, but it's an open question how many of them have actually had precip reach the ground. Regardless, as the surface low and its upper-level support pushes closer to the region, rain chances will increase heading towards sunrise and into the morning hours. There are some nocturnal t-storms ongoing along the northern TN border and in SE KY, and these are heading northeast towards us. If they hold together, some of the lead storms could arrive into WV around 4am or a bit later (assuming nothing pops up ahead of them), and they are about to move into our VA counties. Looking at model soundings, there is definitely some elevated CAPE above the nocturnal inversion, so this activity definitely could hold together to reach WV. SPC did spread the Slight risk area north a bit for the initial Day 1 forecast, with wind being the greatest risk thanks to stronger winds aloft. The hail threat can't be ruled out thanks to wet bulb zero levels around or under 10kft, and turning low- level hodographs on forecast soundings would point towards a non-zero tornado threat, as well. A wild card for today and tonight will be the flood risk, especially over the northeastern part of the CWA. If convection becomes very widespread and is dropping very heavy rain, rain totals at least flooding could become a concern, and perhaps flash flooding as well. However, as of now a Flood Watch was not issued, as there was quite a bit of variation in model guidance leading to lower confidence in potential rain totals. The most widespread t-storm activity with the greatest potential for significant rain totals looks likely to be this afternoon and evening. After this morning activity pushes through, models were indicating a bit of a break between that and the afternoon activity. The timing of this break is a bit up in the air, but generally a 14z-19z (10am-3pm) time frame seemed to be the best compromise between the available model data. The entire area won't see a break for the whole window, but rather the break in rain will shift across the area from southwest to northeast during that time. Winds will become S-SW'ly today, and may get a bit gusty at times, especially over the higher terrain of the southeastern third of the CWA, but most gusts should stay under 25 mph. Despite the cloud cover and incoming precip, the warm start to the day and south to southwesterly winds should allow highs to rise into the lower and mid-70s in lower elevations, close to seasonal norms. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/... As of 215 AM Friday... Most models have the main feature, the low causing all the unsettled weather, positioned directly centered and overhead the area to start this period off on Saturday morning. This will continue elevated POPs across the area along with possible thunderstorms until the low drives off to the east by late Saturday evening. Chances of rain will continue along the mountains due to wrap flow, but will fade away by very early Sunday morning. This low pressure system will also leave behind cooler than normal temperatures through Sunday which is a relief from the anomalously high temperatures that were recently observed the past few days. && .LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 215 AM Friday... High pressure makes a come back and will build in behind the the aforementioned low. This will leave the area with average temperatures and settled weather through most of the extended period. At the tale end of the period, starting Thursday, chances of rain arise in response to the same low pressure system that made its mark on the area which will come back to affect the area a second time. The low is forecast to spin fairly stationary over the Atlantic and then will make a another pass at us from the south by Thursday, possibly promoting unsettled weather into Friday with showers and thunderstorms. Long range models are fairly in line with this solution, therefore accepted central guidance for the remainder of this period. && .AVIATION /11Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/... As of 715 AM Friday Conditions have trended down for locations getting rain, with mainly MVFR conditions in these areas, but locally IFR at times. These showers and reduced flight conditions will push northeast through the next few hours, with the heaviest and steadiest rain now shifting to the northern half of the CWA, currently (or soon) impacting PKB, CKB, and EKN. A break is likely to move from SW to NE across the area in the mid-morning to early afternoon hours, with another, more widespread round of showers and storms pushing across in the afternoon and evening. The break was accounted for to a degree in the TAFs by going from prevailing showers to VCSH for a time, though the timing may be off for some sites. Went VCSH during the expected break, as well, in case a few showers fill into the gaps. In addition to the lower CIGs and vsby with showers and t-storms this afternoon, models were still going strong on IFR CIGs and perhaps vsby late this evening and overnight as the low moves directly over the area. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of showers/storms and associated ceiling and visibility reductions will vary tonight into Friday. Timing of CIG/vsby reductions after 00z Saturday could differ from the TAFs. 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 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 EDT 1HRLY 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 CRW CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H M M HTS CONSISTENCY H M H H H H H H H H H H BKW CONSISTENCY H H M H M M H H M H H H EKN CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H M H H M H PKB CONSISTENCY H M H M H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H H H M H H M M M H H AFTER 12Z SATURDAY... IFR conditions possible late Friday night into Saturday, and then in fog/stratus Saturday night into Sunday. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...FK/JZ NEAR TERM...FK SHORT TERM...JZ LONG TERM...JZ AVIATION...FK
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 422 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022 KYZ101>103-105-OHZ066-067-075-076-083>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011- 013>020-024>034-039-040-515>526-070830- Greenup-Carter-Boyd-Lawrence KY-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington- Jackson OH-Vinton-Meigs-Gallia-Lawrence OH-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-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- 422 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia and much of West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. The entire area is under a severe and excessive rainfall threat today. Thunderstorms are expected throughout the day. A few storms may become strong to severe with the primary threats being wind and hail; however, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Locally heavy rain may cause water issues, especially near low lying and flood prone areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. 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.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
807 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
KYZ101>103-105-OHZ087-WVZ005-006-061230-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-Lawrence OH-Wayne WV-
Cabell WV-
807 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A line of thunderstorms will impact portions of Boyd,
southeastern Greenup, Lawrence, Carter, southern Lawrence, Cabell
and northern Wayne Counties through 830 AM EDT...
At 806 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a line of thunderstorms
near Durbin, or 8 miles south of Cannonsburg, moving northeast at 60
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...
Huntington, Ashland, Ironton, Grayson, Louisa, Coal Grove, Olive
Hill, Wayne, Chesapeake, Proctorville, Blaine, Beech Fork State Park,
Cannonsburg, Grayson Lake State Park, Yatesville Lake State Park,
Barboursville, Kenova, Milton, Catlettsburg and Ceredo.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 162 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 26.
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 3868 8244 3859 8236 3858 8232 3838 8207
3831 8221 3819 8228 3796 8281 3800 8294
3796 8299 3798 8302 3804 8300 3811 8289
3817 8292 3817 8298 3820 8301 3818 8305
3827 8317 3819 8323 3822 8330 3823 8329
TIME...MOT...LOC 1206Z 240DEG 53KT 3827 8269
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
19Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
829 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
KYZ101>103-105-OHZ087-WVZ005-006-061300-
Boyd KY-Greenup KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-Lawrence OH-Wayne WV-
Cabell WV-
829 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Boyd, south central
Greenup, Lawrence, southeastern Carter, southeastern Lawrence, Cabell
and northern Wayne Counties through 900 AM EDT...
At 828 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of thunderstorms
near Beech Fork State Park, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor water problems could be possible.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Ashland, Grayson, Louisa, Coal Grove, Wayne, Chesapeake,
Proctorville, Blaine, Beech Fork State Park, Cannonsburg, Grayson
Lake State Park, Yatesville Lake State Park, Barboursville, Kenova,
Milton, Catlettsburg, Ceredo, Fort Gay and Coalton.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 171 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 31.
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 3820 8326 3845 8274 3866 8236 3859 8236
3859 8221 3847 8206 3837 8205 3834 8218
3823 8226 3795 8281 3800 8294 3797 8298
3800 8302 3811 8289 3817 8292 3817 8298
3820 8301 3818 8305 3824 8314 3819 8323
TIME...MOT...LOC 1228Z 237DEG 46KT 3834 8247
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
19Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
859 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
KYZ102-103-105-OHZ087-WVZ005>007-013-014-061330-
Boyd KY-Carter KY-Lawrence KY-Lawrence OH-Mason WV-Lincoln WV-
Wayne WV-Cabell WV-Putnam WV-
859 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A cluster of thunderstorms will impact portions of Boyd,
Lawrence, southeastern Carter, southeastern Lawrence, southwestern
Mason, Cabell, southwestern Putnam, northwestern Lincoln and Wayne
Counties through 930 AM EDT...
At 858 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of thunderstorms
near Beech Fork State Park, moving northeast at 55 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor water problems could be possible.
Locations impacted include...
Huntington, Louisa, Wayne, Hamlin, Chesapeake, Proctorville, Blaine,
Beech Fork State Park, Cannonsburg, Grayson Lake State Park,
Yatesville Lake State Park, Hurricane, Barboursville, Kenova, Milton,
Catlettsburg, Ceredo, Fort Gay, Denton and Burnaugh.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 64 in Kentucky between mile markers 182 and 191.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 1 and 38.
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 3831 8291 3864 8208 3840 8190 3835 8191
3789 8268 3797 8283 3800 8294 3800 8296
3796 8299 3797 8302 3800 8302 3804 8300
3805 8296 3809 8293 3812 8289 3817 8292
3817 8298 3820 8301 3819 8306 3820 8305
TIME...MOT...LOC 1258Z 237DEG 48KT 3826 8236
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
19Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
918 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
WVZ007-008-014-015-061345-
Jackson WV-Mason WV-Kanawha WV-Putnam WV-
918 AM EDT Fri May 6 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of east central Mason,
north central Kanawha, northern Putnam and southeastern Jackson
Counties through 945 AM EDT...
At 918 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Winfield, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor water issues could occur.
Locations impacted include...
Winfield, Eleanor, Buffalo, Kenna, Teays Valley, Bancroft, Given,
Fraziers Bottom, Kentuck, Liberty and Fairplain.
This includes the following highways...
Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 118 and 134.
Interstate 64 in West Virginia near mile marker 39.
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 3845 8194 3861 8206 3879 8170 3860 8153
TIME...MOT...LOC 1318Z 237DEG 33KT 3852 8190
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
19The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 63 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:27 UTC.
14 flood, 12 flash flood, 1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Flash floding occurred in several areas along 8th Street Road (Route 152) from Lavalette to the Cabell County line with water in several houses.
Significant flash flooding occurred in Cabell County. The hardest hit area was the Enslow Park area where over 100 homes and many vehicles were inundated as Fourpole Creek flooded. Some vehicles were swept away. Route 10 was closed due to flash flooding near Huntinton High School, Route 60 was impassable at the East Mall Road intersection in Barboursville, and flood waters entered Davis Creek Elementary School. A 63 year old man drowned in flood waters along Kilgore Creek Road in Milton. The man was working on a farm tractor and high water swept him away.
Multiple streets were flooded in St. Albans, including Kanawha Terrace, Greenbrier Street, the Boone Street Tunnel, and the 3rd Street Underpass. Woods Drive in Charleston also flooded.
Flash flooding occurred throughout the county. Route 34 was impassable near City Park. High water flowed across Route 817 in multiple locations in Winfield and several neighborhoods also had high water across roads. A water rescue took place in Poca.
A large swath of tree damage where multiple large trees were snapped and uprooted occurred near the community of Adolph.
High water flowed over portions of Six Mile Road as Six Mile Creek exceeded its banks.
Widespread flash flooding occurred in Roane County. In Newton, high water affected the EMS Substation and the road leading to the station was impassable. Route 52 in Looneville was impassable. Amma Road was was impassable and multiple structures along the road were flooded. In Spencer, severel feet of water covered the intersection of Front Street and Market Street.
Near the community of Branchland, Four Mile Creek Road became impassable due to flooding.
Flooding caused Bear Fork Road to become impassable near the community of Yawkey.
Summers Fork Road became impassable due to flooding.
Several roads in the community of Sissonville, including Legg Fork Road, were affected by high water. A few of these roadways were closed due to flooding. Additionally, multiple water rescues occurred in Sissonville.
Route 16 was closed in multiple locations across southern Calhoun County due to flooding.
Multiple roads were impassable due to flooding between the community of Fairplain and the Kanawha County line. These roadways included Charleston Road, Spicewood Road, Meadowview Drive, and Shamblin Run Road.
High water from Spring Creek led to flooding of several structures and vehicles along Front Street in the city of Spencer.
Flooding from Big Otter Creek impacted nearby roads and open land near community of Big Otter.
The Middle Fork of the Mud River rose out of its 12 foot bankfull level near Griffithsville on the evening of May 6th. The river only remained out of its banks for a few hours and crested at 12.24 feet. While out of its banks, the fields located adjacent to the river were inundated with water.
On the morning of May 7th, Middle Island Creek near the town of West Union rose out of its 16 foot bankfull level. The creek rose to 18.10 feet before returning to its banks later that evening. During which time, minor flooding was observed along Route 18 and into the Doddridge County Park.
The Little Kanawha River in Glenville above its 23 foot flood stage on the morning of May 7th and did not return to its banks until after midnight on the 8th. The river crested at 26.48 feet, which resulted in minor flooding within the township, including portions of Elm Street and South Street. A few homes adjacent to the river also observed ponding in their front yards.
The Tygart River near the town of Mill Creek rose above its 11 foot bankfull level on the morning of May 7th, crested at 12.14 feet, then returned to its banks late that night. Water spilled onto County Road 39 while the river was out of its banks.
The Tygart River near Ellamore rose above its 13 foot bankfull level during the late morning hours of May 7th. The river crested at 14.05 feet, which resulted in water spilling onto County Road 28, before returning to its banks later that evening.
Middle Island Creek in Middlebourne rose out of its 16 bankfull level in the early afternoon hours of May 7th. The creek rose to 17.38 feet before returning to its banks just after midnight on the 8th. Minor flooding of nearby fields occurred while the creek was out of its banks.
The gage along the Tygart Valley River in Belington observed the river rising above its bankfull level of 14 feet on the afternoon of May 7th. The river continued to oscillate in and out of its banks until the next morning, and crested at 14.46 feet. Before fully returning to its banks, water spilled onto roads located in close vicinity to the river, including River and Dayton Streets, the intersections of Talbott Road, and Walbash Street.
On the afternoon of May 7th, the Tygart River in Philippi rose above its 19 foot flood stage and resulted in flooding along portions of Route 119 and Route 250 as well as smaller streets including Sycamore Street and Beech Avenue. The river returned to its banks a few hours after midnight on the 8th.
In the town of Buckhannon, the gage along the Buckhannon River observed a rise above its 23 foot bankfull level on the afternoon of May 7th. The river crested at midnight at 24.7 feet before returning to its banks the next morning. Portions of Cleveland Avenue and Wood Street were under water while the river was out of its banks as well as sections of Route 20.
In the town of Little, Middle Island Creek rose out of its 14 foot bankfull level and remained out of its banks until the early morning hours of May 8th. The creek rose to 14.47 feet, which resulted in minor flooding along Stewarts Run Road and within the field located opposite of the gage.
The West Fork River in Clarksburg rose above its 14 foot flood stage on the evening of May 7th and remained in flood until the early morning hours of the 8th. The river crested at 14.31 feet, which resulted in minor flooding of low lying areas along the river as well as water spilling onto Liberty Avenue.
The Ohio River at Point Pleasant rose above its 40 foot flood stage on the evening of May 8th. The river would remain out of its banks until the early morning hours of May 10th and crested at 41.7 feet. This resulted in minor flooding around low lying spots of Point Pleasant, including the town's amphitheater.
As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.
| Event | Date | Age | Sex | Where | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood, Cabell | 2022-05-06 | 63 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in West Virginia in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, May 2022
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: 1029918, 1029928, 1014873, 1029933, 1015698, 1014877, 1029947, 1014884, 1014885, 1014887, 1014889, 1014891, 1015672, 1015686, 1029951, 1022145, 1022148, 1022143, 1022888, 1022157, 1022147, 1022887, 1022894, 1022141, 1022146, 1022896, 1022154.