West Virginia, 2023

Flash Flood and Damaging Winds in West Virginia, July 9, 2023

July 9, 2023 · NWS RLX · 5 events in 4 counties and zones

On July 9th, a weak disturbance, followed by a cold front, resulted in rounds of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. One early morning storm produced a lightning strike that caused an apartment fire in Putnam County.

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
$1.0 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
5

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.

On July 9th, a weak disturbance, followed by a cold front, resulted in rounds of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day. One early morning storm produced a lightning strike that caused an apartment fire in Putnam County. The majority of the three story building was gutted. Numerous showers and storms then developed in the afternoon, resulting in flash flooding in Fayette County. A few downed trees also occurred.

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 Jul 9, 12:33 AM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 12:33 AM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 8, 10:17 PM EST, 3 hours 58 minutes before
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The radar

The Charleston,WV radar (KRLX), 22 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:15 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Putnam

When
July 9, 2:15 AM EST
Where
Putnam County, 1.15 mi ESE of Scott Depot
Property damage
$1.0 million
Reported by
Emergency Manager
Coordinates
38.446, -81.899

Local fire department responded to a 3:15 A.M. structure fire at the Devonshire Apartment Complex in Scott Depot. The three-story building, with 22 apartments (19 occupied) and 27 occupants, was gutted. Initial report mentioned a lightning strike. No injuries were reported. Everyone evacuated safely and were accounted for.

Thunderstorm Wind, Putnam

When
July 9, 12:08 PM EST
Where
Putnam County, 0.61 mi WSW of Mt Vernon
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$200
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
38.448, -81.961

One tree was blown down on Abbington Court in Hurricane.

Flash Flood, Fayette

When
July 9, 1:55 PM EST to 5:55 PM EST
Where
Fayette County, 0.92 mi W of Montgomery to 0.78 mi ESE of Cresent
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$2,000
Reported by
Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates
38.178, -81.337

A foot and a half of water was observed across Cannelton Road in Smithers. Flooding also occurred along Deepwater Mountain Road and other local roads in Montgomery.

Thunderstorm Wind, Raleigh

When
July 9, 3:52 PM EST
Where
Raleigh County, 0.55 mi W of Midway
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$200
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
37.720, -81.260

A tree fell and brought down power lines near Sofia.

Thunderstorm Wind, Kanawha

When
July 9, 5:23 PM EST
Where
Kanawha County, 0.14 mi E of Coal Fork
Measured
45 kt (52 mph) estimated gust
Property damage
$200
Reported by
911 Call Center
Coordinates
38.320, -81.517

A tree was knocked down on Clover Drive in the Campbells Creek area.

What these are

Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
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.
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

More

Every storm in West Virginia in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in West Virginia, July 2023

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: 1103771, 1103779, 1103798, 1103792, 1103793.