Active weather in the form of flash flooding and strong thunderstorms prevailed over southeast Ohio on May 13th as a result of a nearby frontal boundary. The original front stalled across the Ohio Valley on the 11th, then dissolved over the area while a disturbance slowly approached from the southwest for the next several days.
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.
Active weather in the form of flash flooding and strong thunderstorms prevailed over southeast Ohio on May 13th as a result of a nearby frontal boundary. The original front stalled across the Ohio Valley on the 11th, then dissolved over the area while a disturbance slowly approached from the southwest for the next several days. This set the stage for heavy downpours and strong thunderstorms amid the hot and humid airmass planted overhead.
During the afternoon and evening of May 13th, strong thunderstorms downed trees and power lines across portions of the area. Heavy rainfall within these storms also led to widespread half to one and a half in rainfall amounts, with a localized spots of 2 to 3 inch amounts within southeast Ohio. Heavy rain over previously saturated ground prompted flash flooding in Athens, Jackson, Meigs, and Perry Counties. This impacted not only local roadways, but also the first floors of several homes in Perry County along with a nearby church. The threat for severe weather and flash flooding came to an end on May 14th once a break in the weather pattern took shape with the help of building high pressure.
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 13, 2:14 PM EST, 1 hour 46 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION National Weather Service Charleston WV 314 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 .SYNOPSIS... Showers/storms at times through Wednesday, especially during the afternoon/evening hours, courtesy of an upper level low. Briefly dry Thursday, then more showers/storms later Thursday into this weekend. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 250 PM Tuesday... Key Points: * Locally heavy rain this afternoon/evening could result in isolated instances of flash flooding. * Strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon/evening. Hail and damaging wind gusts are the main hazards. A broad upper level low to the west of the region, currently centered across the central Ohio Valley, will continue to shift north and east through the near term period. This will result in continued unsettled weather across the forecast area, with showers/storms from time to time, primarily focused during the afternoon/evening with daytime heating. Coverage is anticipated to decrease significantly tonight, with at least some patchy fog development given any clearing that occurs. Fog could be locally dense in spots. Additional shower/storm development is anticipated Wednesday afternoon/evening, although coverage should be less widespread than today, with the highest probability for rain being in/near the higher terrain. The main concerns for activity today are localized flash flooding, as well as the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms, with hail and damaging wind gusts being the main hazards. A very moist atmosphere and mean low-level flow of ~ 5-15 kts has resulted in slow-moving showers and storms across the area at present, which could lead to isolated flash flooding issues through this evening. While severe weather is not expected on Wednesday, a few isolated high water issues once again remain possible. High temperatures today will be in the low to mid 70s across the lowlands, with 60s across the mountains. High temperatures on Wednesday will be a few degrees higher than today. Lows tonight will be in the 50s across much of the forecast area. && .SHORT TERM /WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/... As of 1209 PM Tuesday... An upper-level ridge will strengthen over the middle Ohio Valley Thursday with the return of very warm weather. High temperatures will range from the middle to upper 80s across the lowlands. Chances of showers and thunderstorms will return Thursday night as a wave of 500-mb vorticity approaches from the west. A cluster of strong to severe thunderstorms may develop over the midwestern states Thursday afternoon, tracking east into the middle Ohio Valley overnight. It's unclear whether the thunderstorm complex would hold together once it approaches the Ohio River. It's possible that thunderstorms would eventually lose steam as they approach the Ohio River with unfavorable lapse rates and waning instability. However, a few models, including the NAM, still show 800-1,000 J/kg of MLCAPE available by 06Z Friday. It will be interesting to see what the CAMs suggest in upcoming runs. The SPC currently has a marginal risk of severe weather outlooked for this time period though 12Z Friday morning. There may be a higher probability of strong to severe thunderstorms Friday with plenty of instability building throughout the day, steep low-level lapse rates (8-9 C/kg), and a robust amount of 0-6km shear (40-50 kts). Highs will range from the middle to upper 80s again Friday with 60 to perhaps 70 degree dew points. A cold front will approach late Friday night, and thunderstorms will remain possible through that time period. The Day 4 SPC outlook currently shows a 15% risk area drawn over central and western Kentucky, just slightly west of our County Warning Area. && .LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY/... As of 1209 PM Tuesday... A cold front will cross east of the region Saturday morning, hopefully leaving dry and quiet weather in its wake as high pressure builds into the Ohio Valley. However, not all models are on board with this, and some models show slower solutions, keeping the front stalled over southwest Virginia throughout the weekend. However, this seems like the less likely possibility. Saturday will likely still feature lingering activity, especially during the morning as the front crosses through. We are more confident that Sunday and Monday should be mostly dry days, but will keep at least a slight chance of rain in the forecast in case the less likely model solution pans out. && .AVIATION /19Z TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/... As of 220 PM Tuesday... Scattered showers and thunderstorms are currently progressing across the forecast area, providing some brief MVFR CIG restrictions, along with brief IFR/MVFR VSBY restrictions. This trend will continue through the afternoon/evening, with even the potential for ISO strong thunderstorms that could contain gusty winds and hail. Showers/storms will diminish in coverage overnight, with the development of ISO showers/storms once again towards the end of the TAF period early Wednesday afternoon. MVFR/IFR/LIFR restrictions are possible later tonight into Wednesday morning with low stratus and fog, particularly in/near the higher terrain and across the Mid-Ohio Valley. Mainly VFR returns by the end of the TAF period. Light and somewhat variable flow is expected through the TAF period. FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND ALTERNATE SCENARIOS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY... FORECAST CONFIDENCE: Medium. ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: Timing of flight category changes in showers/storms could vary. Fog coverage overnight may be more widespread than currently anticipated. 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 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 EDT 1HRLY 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 00 01 02 CRW CONSISTENCY H 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 M EKN CONSISTENCY H H H M H H H H H H H L PKB CONSISTENCY H H H H H H H H H H H H CKB CONSISTENCY H H M H H H H H H H M M AFTER 18Z WEDNESDAY... In an active week, IFR conditions are possible under convection Wednesday afternoon/evening, as well as Thursday night through Friday night, and then again Saturday afternoon. && .RLX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... WV...None. OH...None. KY...None. VA...None. && SYNOPSIS...GW/JMC NEAR TERM...GW SHORT TERM...JMC LONG TERM...JMC AVIATION...GW
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Charleston WV 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 WVZ033-034-515>526-141800- McDowell-Wyoming-Northwest Raleigh-Southeast Raleigh- Northwest Fayette-Southeast Fayette-Northwest Nicholas- Southeast Nicholas-Northwest Webster-Southeast Webster- Northwest Pocahontas-Southeast Pocahontas-Northwest Randolph- Southeast Randolph- 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast, southeast and southern West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. The main hazards are damaging wind gusts and hail. Additionally, locally heavy downpours could lead to isolated instances of flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Locally heavy downpours on Wednesday could lead to isolated high water issues. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. .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. KYZ103-105-OHZ085>087-VAZ003-004-WVZ005>011-013>020-024>032-039-040- 141800- Boyd-Lawrence-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-Upshur-Barbour- 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Kentucky, portions of southeast Ohio, southwest Virginia, and portions of central, northern, southern and western West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. The main hazards are damaging wind gusts and hail. Additionally, locally heavy downpours could lead to isolated high water issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. .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. KYZ101-102-OHZ066-067-075-076-083-084-141800- Greenup-Carter-Perry-Morgan-Athens-Washington-Jackson OH-Vinton- 156 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Kentucky and portions of southeast Ohio. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight. Locally heavy downpours this afternoon and evening could lead to isolated high water issues. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible early Friday morning through Friday afternoon. .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
437 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
WVZ015-016-027-132100-
Clay WV-Roane WV-Kanawha WV-
437 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHEASTERN KANAWHA...
SOUTHEASTERN ROANE AND WESTERN CLAY COUNTIES THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 436 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Glen, or 9 miles southwest of Clay, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Clay, Clendenin, Wallback, Amma, Glen, Left Hand, Bickmore, Procious,
and Indore.
This includes Interstate 79 between mile markers 19 and 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 3862 8105 3834 8112 3836 8132 3861 8139
3862 8108 3861 8108
TIME...MOT...LOC 2036Z 178DEG 12KT 3840 8123
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
438 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0437 PM Flash Flood 2 E Weston 39.04N 80.44W
05/13/2025 Lewis WV Fire Dept/Rescue
Water entering homes along Smith Run Road.
&&
SKHPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Charleston WV
440 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0439 PM Flash Flood Weston 39.04N 80.47W
05/13/2025 Lewis WV Fire Dept/Rescue
Multiple reports of roads being closed by
flooding in Weston, WV.
&&
SKHSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
447 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
OHZ066-132100-
Perry OH-
447 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN PERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 500 PM EDT...
At 446 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Bremen, or near Shawnee, moving west at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Junction City.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 3969 8224 3959 8236 3960 8238 3961 8238
3974 8236 3974 8241 3977 8240
TIME...MOT...LOC 2046Z 093DEG 8KT 3965 8233
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
453 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
OHZ085-WVZ007-008-132130-
Meigs OH-Jackson WV-Mason WV-
453 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN MEIGS...
NORTHEASTERN MASON AND WEST CENTRAL JACKSON COUNTIES THROUGH 530 PM
EDT...
At 453 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Buffalo, or 12 miles southeast of Point Pleasant,
moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Racine, New Haven, Middleport, Hartford City, Leon, Mount Alto,
Southside, and Letart.
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 3872 8187 3871 8200 3898 8209 3899 8178
TIME...MOT...LOC 2053Z 178DEG 8KT 3876 8194
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Charleston WV
500 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
OHZ066-132115-
Perry OH-
500 PM EDT Tue May 13 2025
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN PERRY COUNTY
THROUGH 515 PM EDT...
At 500 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Logan. This thunderstorm was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Junction City and New Straitsville.
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 3978 8231 3958 8223 3958 8226 3959 8226
3960 8237 3960 8238 3974 8236 3974 8241
3978 8240
TIME...MOT...LOC 2100Z 115DEG 3KT 3962 8234
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
04The Cincinnati radar (KILN), 130 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 20:59 UTC.
5 flash flood, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
Water washed tree debris across the road and down a hillside into a pond on the property of a home in Maxwell. A boat dock on the pond, kayak, and trash bin were also washed out.
Trees and power lines were blown down along State Route 681 outside the town of Joppa.
High water was observed along State Route 681.
West Branch Sunday Creek exceeded its banks and flooded several roads in the local communities, the first floor of a couple homes, and a church. Water spilled onto Route 312 at the Fairfield and Perry County line. Portions of State Route 668 were closed due to flooding.
Southwest of McArthur, a tree was blown down across South Spring Street.
Sections of State Route 93 between Jackson and Glen Roy were flooded.
Several roads were closed due to flooding. These roads closed included State Route 56 between Routes 691 and 278, State Route 356 between Route 56 and Rockcamp Road, State Route 681 between Route 356 and Mansfield Road, and State Route 550 from Route 13 to Route 690.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Ohio in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Ohio, May 2025
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: 1252026, 1259317, 1252013, 1252022, 1259318, 1252032, 1252001.