Flash Flooding Devastates Ohio County

NWS: More Rain — And Possibly Heavy Rain — A Concern In Ohio County Over Next Few Days

By Derek Redd 2 min read
Photo by Eric Ayres Destroyed vehicles and other large debris that have been checked for victims and cleared by search and rescue teams were marked with painted “X” along Little Wheeling Creek and National Road near Triadelphia and Roney's Point.

As residents of Ohio County continue the recovery process from Saturday night’s flash floods, the National Weather Service office in Pittsburgh is saying more rain is very possible through the week — and it could be heavy enough to serious impede recovery efforts.

A flood watch is currently in effect for the area and set to expire at 10 p.m. Monday, said Jason Frazier, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh. Rain showers are likely in the area through Tuesday night. Several periods of heavy rain are possible Monday, with 1 to 2 inches possible and as much as 3 inches in more localized areas.

“Unfortunately, the threats aren’t subsiding here soon,” Frazier said. “What we’re looking at is, basically, the environment that led to the unfortunate flooding near Wheeling and Valley Grove and Triadelphia, that environment really hasn’t changed, and it isn’t going to change too drastically today and into (Tuesday).

“So the environment that’s really moist and wet and has the potential for thunderstorms is still in place,” he added.

Some slow-moving thunderstorms can develop that could dump rain at a rate of an inch an hour, Frazier said, if not 2 to 3 inches an hour. What complicates matters is that the ground and waterways that already have been hit hard with rain haven’t dried out, so less rain than what was seen Saturday night could create hazardous situations.

Frazier said that Ohio Valley residents should have multiple ways to access the National Weather Service’s alert system in case, for instance, a cell phone runs out of battery or TV and radio become inaccessible.

Lower chances of rain — and flood probabilities are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, Frazier said.

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