Tornadoes and Flooding in West Virginia, April 2 to 7, 2024

A tornado, essentially a strong eddy at the end of a microburst, occurred along 5th Street Road near the Wayne/Cabell County line. More substantial damage occurred after the tornado crossed firmly into Cabell County, but structural damage along 5th Street Road was noted close to where the tornado touched down.

A quick tornado feeding off of a microburst crossed into Cabell County from Wayne County, producing sporadic straight-line wind damage from the Huntington Airport eastward to Harvey Road. From drone footage, it was apparent that this microburst descended into the north/south oriented valley at 5th Street Road near Woodhaven Drive. Tree and structural damage in this valley showed strong rotation with damage consistent with an EF1 tornado. Several structures were damaged or destroyed and extensive tree damage occurred. The tornado climbed the ridge to the east of 5th Street Road and dissipated.

Trees and power lines were blown down all over Huntington. A tractor trailer was flipped to its side on the 31st Bridge.

Multiple trees were blown down in the area, including one onto a home on State Street and Lakeside Drive.

An EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 105 miles per hour endured a track of about 4 miles, extending from just south of Route 2 near the Guyandotte River to just west of the Barboursville Mall. This was a non-continuous track with several notable damage locations.

A narrow concentrated area of hardwood tree damage was noted on a hilltop along Viewpoint Lane. Several of the trees were either snapped or uprooted in a converging pattern and continued southeast along Estate Drive.

Significant mixed hardwood and softwood tree damage was observed along Guyan River Road with most of the intense damage occurring along the banks of the Guyandotte River. Numerous large hardwood and softwood trees were either snapped or uprooted. Damage to a mobile home occurred due to a large fallen tree. In addition, damage to the roof of an apartment complex on the other side of the river on Beech Drive occurred from a fallen tree. This section of the track is where the maximum winds are believed to have occurred.

The tornado path continued eastward with a distinct damage swath of hardwood trees noted along Merritts Creek Road. Large hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted in a converging pattern. A small mobile office unit was blown in the opposite direction of the orientation of the tree damage. From here, the tornado reached its maximum width of 200 yards as it entered into a valley. Tree damage continued east up the ridgetop along Big Ben Bowen Highway before ending along Wildcat Road. The tornado is believed to have lifted before reaching the Barboursville Mall, which is supported by archived radar images.

This tornado, as with many of the others on this day, stayed mainly in the treetops with little in the way of property damage observed.

Outside of the tornado path, rear flank downdraft wind damage occurred east and southeast of the tornado, where a concrete block wall attached to the exterior of the mall was blown apart to the northeast. In addition, part of the roof of a business just east of the mall was lifted and blown to the northeast as well. Finally, scattered tree damage was observed on both sides of Interstate 64 east of the mall, with a general orientation to the northeast.

Damage consistent with a microburst occurred along Wilson Creek. Several trees were uprooted or snapped. A roof was also blown off of a nearby house.

A large billboard was blown over in Milton close to the I-64 corridor.

Tree damage consistent with a microburst observed on a ridgetop along Sand Gap Road.

In Hamlin, several structures were damaged along with multiple downed trees around town and up Route 34 toward Hurricane.

An EF1 tornado touched down south of Eleanor to Bancroft, with a non-continuous path and maximum winds of 90 miles per hour. Initial damage was observed along Hurricane Creek Road, just north of the intersection with Sugar Camp Road south of Fraziers Bottom.

Scattered tree damage was observed, mainly large limbs of hardwood trees with a few uprooted trees noted as well. There was a slight converging signature observed in this area. More significant hardwood tree damage was observed along State Route 34 south of Winfield with a concentrated area of hardwoods either snapped or uprooted with a more pronounced tornadic damage signature.

Additionally, concentrated tree damage occurred along State Route 817 in the Shawnee Estates area across from Bancroft. Here, a narrow damage swath of several mixed hardwood and softwood trees were either snapped or uprooted, which continued eastward along Cannery Lane. A converging damage path was noted.

The tornado appeared to be in the treetops with only minor property damage observed. The tornado lifted just after crossing the Kanawha River.

An EF0 tornado with maximum winds of 80 miles per hour was discovered in the Buffalo area. Concentrated tree damage was observed along the side of a ridge along the east side of Railroad Avenue with several large hardwood trees uprooted in a north-northeast orientation, showing a slight converging signature. This signature became more apparent to the northeast along Cross Creek Road where several mixed softwood and hardwood trees were observed either uprooted or snapped. The tornado appeared to stay in the treetops with no property damage observed. The tornado quickly lifted along Cross Creek Road.

A sheet metal roof was blown off nearly entirely of a building in Hurricane.

A portion of a gas station canopy was blown off in Buffalo.

A tree fell onto a house on Meadowbrook Circle in Teays Valley.

Path of tree damage consistent with a microburst occurred along Route 214 between Yawkey and Sumerco Hill.

Multiple trees were blown down in the Red House and Bancroft areas.

Clusters of downed trees were observed from Scott Depot to Nitro.

An EF1 tornado with maximum winds of 100 miles per hour began in the St. Albans Park, where significant uprooting trees oriented in a north-northeast direction was observed along City Park Drive. On the adjacent side of the road there was a mixture of hard and softwood trees that were either uprooted or snapped, oriented in a southeast direction indicating a clear converging damage swath. Based on a combination of drone footage and ground surveys, it was determined that the tornado skipped eastward, embedded in a larger swath of straight-line wind damage, from St. Albans to Jefferson, before crossing over the Kanawha River into Dunbar, and finally ending in the Roxalana area. This was a non-continuous path with several noted areas of concentrated damage.

In St. Albans, several homes just west of Cunningham Memorial Park were damaged from fallen hardwood and softwood trees of decent size and health. One home was missing a section of wall on the east side of the structure. Multiple homes in the area of Hughes Drive, Lotus Road, and Squires Drive received damage from mixed hardwood and softwood trees that had fallen. Some of the trees were rather large and healthy.

In Jefferson, several trees of mixed hardwood and softwood along MacCorckle Avenue, Kanawha Terrace, Hampshire Drive, and Campbell Lane were uprooted or snapped with some falling on homes. Drone footage showed a path of convergent tree damage descending a hill and crossing Route 60, close to where a roof of a home was blown off.

After crossing the river over to Dunbar, several trees around Dutch Hollow, Grandview, and into Roxalana Road were either snapped or uprooted with some siding and shingle damage noted to several homes and apartment buildings. A large billboard on Fairlawn Avenue, next to a restaurant and Interstate 64, was knocked over onto a car.

Multiple large trees were blown down along the Coal River between Sun Valley and Ferrell.

Several trees were blown down on the West Virginia Regional Technology Park campus, where the Weather Forecast Office is located.

Multiple sheet metal roofs were damaged in Ravenswood.

An EF2 tornado with maximum winds of 115 miles per hour followed a track of about 8 miles, extending from Cross Lanes to just south of the community of Wallace. This was a non-continuous path with three notable damage locations. Significant converging tree damage was observed along Hidden Pines Lane in Cross Lanes, where several large and unhealthy softwood trees were snapped at their bases along with uprooting of many large hardwood trees. Minor damage to homes were noted adjacent to this location along Hidden Cove.

The next area of significant tree convergence was observed along a narrow stretch of the 5000 block of Rock Fork Road, near Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, where a utility pole was snapped at the base along with several uprooted mixed hardwood and softwood trees. This damage extended to a subdivision on Lynn Oak Drive where several large softwood and hardwood trees were either snapped or uprooted. One large hardwood tree fell onto a home in Cross Lanes, which resulted in significant damage to the second story. A local resident's john boat and camper were also flipped over and crushed by large trees in this area.

The final location where damage was noted occurred just south of the community of Wallace along the 4000 block of Sissonville Drive and Whittington Road. This was where several large softwood trees were either snapped or uprooted. In addition, sporadic tree damage was noted just south of the overall track, resulting from straight-line winds.

A narrow swath of significant tree damage was observed near Running Right Way off of US-119.

Multiple trees were snapped in Nitro.

Portions of a sheet metal roof was ripped off of a mobile home in St. Albans.

Two of the four WVSR-AM radio towers collapsed along Scenic Point Drive south of Jefferson.

Multiple trees were uprooted in and around Ravenswood.

Multiple trees were blown down along Six Mile Road.

Multiple trees and power lines were downed across the northern end of Boone County.

Multiple trees were blown down in Danville.

Multiple trees were blown down on Limestone Hill Road.

A tornado touched down in the Kanawha State Forest near the Pigeon Roost Trail, then skipped along an intermittent path eastward to the Hernshaw community. Significant tree damage was noted between Hernshaw and Marmet, with the most destructive being the top roof of a home being blown off, an RV that was rolled, and additional structure damage in and around Hernshaw. The tornado dissipated before reaching the I-64 corridor.

Areas of trees were blown down between Chapmanville and Logan.

Several large tree limbs were blown down in the Dryden Hollow area.

Multiple trees and large limbs were blown down in Kanawha City.

Several trees were snapped on the hillside along Campbells Creek Road.

Trees were blown down in the Hewett area.

In Ottawa, a tree fell down onto a car.

Power lines blew down onto a vehicle in Bloomingrose.

A tree fell and blocked the roadway on Lynn Camp Road.

Two vehicles were destroyed by fallen trees in the South Hills area.

A brick fa ade of commercial building was partially destroyed along the Kanawha Boulevard.

A short, but non-continuous, tornado path was observed with scattered tree damage behind a few homes west of the town of Quick. Significant converging tree damage was observed along the 7000 block of Quick Road just east of the town of Quick. Two mobile homes were destroyed at this location, with a roof uplifted and exterior wall damage. In addition, there was a utility pole that was snapped at the base.

A short-lived tornado snapped and uprooted trees in a distinct path down a hillside into the valley in the Ronda community near Cabin Creek. A few homes suffered roof damage along Ronda Road.

Trees and power lines were blown down along Remington Drive.

A tree and power lines were blown down on Calm School Road, obstructing traffic.

In the town of Cherry, several structures observed damage and a tree was blown down onto a house.

Several trees were blown down in Melville along Route 17.

Several trees were blown down around Montgomery.

A microburst with maximum winds of 100 miles per hour in the communities of Jodie and Swiss along the Nicholas and Fayette County line. Notable significant damage was first observed along Jodie Road where large mixed hardwood and softwood trees were either uprooted or snapped. This damage extended along the banks of the Gauley River and up the slopes of the adjacent hillsides. In addition, a roof was blown off of a home along with an attached car port from a different home. The tree damage continued northeast, crossing State Route 39, and ended up a narrow ravine on the north side of the road. It is here where numerous large hardwood trees were uprooted in a general northeast direction.

While there were isolated signs of converging tree damage, likely from steep terrain induced wind patterns, the overwhelming evidence indicated the occurrence of a microburst. This conclusion was further supported by radar interrogation.

Widespread tree damage was observed in the Bickmore community.

Several trees were snapped on the hillside along US 60.

A large pine tree fell down onto Gillespie Run Road in the town of Mahone.

A metal roof was removed off of a house with nearby power lines also down near the Dorothy community.

Damaged trees were observed along US 60.

Trees and power lines were blown down at Horse Creek Road and Coal River Road.

Trees were blown down between Horse Creek Road and Pettry Bottom Road.

Multiple trees were blown down along Cafego Road in Wingrove.

A storage shed was dislodged and blown across the street near Ansted.

Several large limbs fell onto a home in Summersville.

A tree was blown down and blocking Sherwood Road near Price Hill.

Multiple trees were down in the Runa community.

Several trees, mostly pine, were uprooted or snapped on Dove Lane and Elkhorn Lane. One tree fell onto a house, damaging the roof. Damage was indicative of a microburst.

A small area with multiple uprooted hardwood trees were observed near the intersection of Leivasy Road and Odell Road, indicative of a microburst.

Multiple trees were blown down from Frametown to Gassaway and Sutton.

A roughly 500 yard long swath of uprooted trees was observed along Laurel Creek and Saxman Road. Tree damage was divergent, indicative of microburst winds blowing oddly from south to north.

Part of a roof was blown off with a window broken out in Richwood.

One tree was blown down along Rock House Road.

Several trees were blown down and blocked Selbyville Road near Newlon.

Lines of trees knocked down onto both sides of Selbyville Road.

Trees were blown down on Mountain Quest Lane near Frost.

In Shinnston, multiple trees were uprooted.

A tree was blown down, blocking Back Mountain Road.

A tree was blown down across Horseshoe Road near the Philip Barbour High School.

A tornado touched down west of Mallard Road then traveled eastward along the roadway, causing considerable and significant tree damage with hundreds of hardwood trees uprooted and snapped. Several homes were damaged by trees or had wind damaging along Mallard Road, including one home that had significant roof damage.

The tornado continued eastward crossing Lookout Road and US 60. The tornado reached peak width of 325 yards here and peak wind speeds were likely reached just west of Lookout Road where tree damage indicated wind speeds estimated at 130 miles per hour. This tornado continued to damage or destroy several homes and businesses along US 60. One home was shifted several feet off of its foundation and the metal roof was tossed approximately 350 yards to the tree line across US 60.

The tornado continued its journey east of US 60 with a path of tree damage noted for another mile before aerial photography from the West Virginia Civil Air Patrol indicated that it lifted. Additional damage was subsequently found approximately 3 miles to the east along Bracken Creek Road where a small building was destroyed and a path of tree damage was observed.

A person was trapped inside a damaged structure along Bella Vista Drive.

Sporadic tree damage was observed along Snow Hill Road with minor roof damage to a home.

A small area of uprooted trees were observed at the intersection of Snow Hill Road and Leivasy Road, indicative of a microburst.

In the town of Little, Middle Island Creek rose above its 14 foot bankfull level early in the morning on April 3rd. The creek crested to around 16.6 feet later that morning, then returned to its banks that evening. High water issues arose along secondary roads near the creek while out of its banks.

Little Tygart Creek at Mineral Wells rose above its bankfull level of 11 feet during the pre-dawn hours of April 3rd. The creek made an initial crest that morning then began rising again later in the day. The final crest, around 15.6 feet, occurred on the morning of the 5th, then waters receded below bankfull on the evening of the 6th. Speedway Road and Mayo Drive experienced flooding while the creek was out of its banks.

Portions of Excelsior Road washed out.

Portions of Galloway Road and side roads experienced flooding from Simson Creek.

Water was observed along Route 8 near Kesling Mill.

Flooding occurred along Crim Avenue. Water entered one building in Belington.

The Ohio River at the Belleville Lock rose above flood stage on the morning of April 3rd and continued to rise to a crest of 41.9 feet a few days later, on the morning of the 5th. The river then eased back below flood stage during the early morning hours of April 7th. This extended period of the river out of its banks resulted flooding of local roads on the West Virginia side of the river.

In Mill Creek, the Tygart Valley River rose out of its banks on the afternoon of April 3rd. The river crested around 12.2 feet that afternoon, then returned below its bankfull level on the night of the 4th. While the river was out of its banks, County Route 39 heading out of town observed flooding.

Gougerville Road became impassable due to flooding.

The Tygart Valley River at Belington rose above its bankfull level on the afternoon of April 3rd. The river continued to rise to a crest of 16.4 feet that night and then returned below bankfull level the next morning. This resulted in high water spilling onto Talbott Road and Wasbash Road.

The Middle Fork Tygart Valley River at Ellamore rose above its 13 foot bankfull level on the afternoon of April 3rd. The river continued to rise to a crest of around 14.8 feet and returned to its banks the same evening. Portions of County Route 28 near the Randolph/Upshur County line observed high water issues while the river was out of its banks.

The Ohio River at Parkersburg rose above flood stage on the afternoon of April 3rd, then continued to rise to a crest of around 40.1 feet the morning of the 5th. The river then fell back below flood stage the afternoon of April 6th. This extensive amount of time above flood stage resulted in flooding of several homes in the Happy Valley and Point Drive areas near Parkersburg as well as sections of Vienna.

The Middle Fork Tygart Valley River at Audra rose just above its bankfull level on the afternoon of April 3rd. The river crested to feet and then returned to its banks later that evening. This caused minor flooding at the campground in Audra State Park and the roadways in the extreme low-lying areas of the park.

The Tygart Valley River at Philippi rose above its 19 foot flood stage on the evening of April 3rd. The river continued to rise to a crest of around 19.7 feet that night and then returned below flood stage the next morning. This resulted in minor flooding at the intersection of US Route 119 and Truck Route 250, as well as at Sycamore Street and Beech Avenue in Philippi.

The Ohio River at Racine Lock rose above flood stage on the night of April 3rd, then reached a crest of around 46.4 feet on the night of the 5th. The river gradually receded below flood stage again the following morning. While in flood, West Virginia Route 62 at Tombleson Creek flooded and portions just below the Racine Lock at West Creek flooded as well.

A vehicle became stuck in high water on Core Road.

The Ohio River at Point Pleasant rose above its 40 foot flood stage on the morning of April 4th, then reached a crest of around 44.7 feet on the morning of the 6th. The river then receded below flood stage the evening of April 7th. During this extended period of time with the river out of its banks, numerous local roads in the area observed high water issues, including Route 21 and Route 33. Homes at the end of 2nd Street outside of the flood wall in Point Pleasant also experienced minor flooding.

In Davisville, a vehicle drove into flood water occurring within a large dip in the road along Nicolette Road, overturned and submerged. The single occupant was unable to egress.