A series of calamities has struck West Virginia, with flash flooding washing away roads and bridges, and reports of high-water rescues emerging. Residents in the Huntington area of West Virginia have been advised to either take shelter or move to higher ground immediately. The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least one tornado hit Kentucky with a preliminary EF-1 rating.
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – A critical situation has emerged in various parts of West Virginia on Thursday morning following intense thunderstorms sweeping through the area. The storms have resulted in widespread flooding, high-water rescues, and rockslides due to heavy rainfall.
The National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia has issued a dire Flash Flood Emergency for the Huntington area due to the rapidly evolving conditions.
Multiple regions experienced significant rainfall within a short span, with more precipitation expected as the morning progresses. The NWS cautioned, “Move to higher ground now. This is an extremely perilous and life-threatening situation. Do not travel unless fleeing from flooding or under an evacuation order.”
Cabell County 911 disclosed that residents of Enslow Park, a community in Huntington, were advised to remain indoors or, if feasible, seek higher ground or move to upper levels of their residences. Officials urged, “Enslow Park is facing high water, please evacuate if able. If unable to, contact 911 immediately.”
Flash flooding has persisted throughout the morning, with forecasters warning of further flooding in areas like Huntington, Chesapeake, Barboursville, and Pea Ridge. The NWS stated, “This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 6 and 7, and between mile markers 15 and 14.”
Huntington resident Christina Hankins recounted her experience to FOX Weather, mentioning that heavy rain began late Wednesday night, catching many off guard by the severity of the situation on Thursday morning.
She mentioned, “I actually got home last night around 10:45, and noticed substantial rainfall. It continued through the night with multiple storms passing through.”
Hankins woke up to an emergency alert blaring due to the intense rain, stating, “I woke up this morning at 6 to my emergency system alarming us about the Flood Warning in our area.”
Despite having dealt with similar situations before, Hankins noted that this event felt more serious. She and her family, along with friends, are safe, but her mother, sister, and some coworkers faced flooding at their homes.
While the water levels have started to recede, navigating around town remains challenging. Numerous school districts have announced closures for Thursday due to hazardous conditions. Many roads are either impassable due to high water or blocked by debris like trees and rocks.
Roads affected by the flooding include Interstate 77 and Interstate 64, as well as numerous local roads and highways such as WV-10, WV-34, WV-61, and US-119. While the primary concern remains the flooding, there is also a potential threat of severe weather, including the risk of tornadoes, on Thursday.
Signs indicating an imminent landslide or mudslide are important to watch for:
1. Unusual sounds or movements in the ground
2. Cracks forming in the ground
3. Sudden changes in water flow or water appearance
4. Tilting trees or utility poles
5. Doors or windows becoming difficult to open or close
6. Noticeable changes in the landscape
7. Previous history of landslides in the area
Videos captured in the Charleston area depict dark storm clouds sweeping across the region, accompanied by spectacular flashes of lightning illuminating the sky. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, sirens blared during a Tornado Warning in Hart County near Bonnieville earlier on Thursday morning.
The National Weather Service storm survey teams from Louisville confirmed at least EF-1 damage in northeastern Hart County. Public safety officials have been actively notifying residents about severe weather emergencies through various channels.
A significant portion of Kentucky was under a Tornado Watch, which was later lifted as the storms progressed eastward. Tornado Warnings were issued in parts of Kentucky and western West Virginia on Thursday morning.
Original Source: Life-threatening flooding in West Virginia leads to numerous high-water rescues and rockslides.
