By: Jeff Jenkins | Posted: Mar. 13, 2018 at 3:47 p.m. | Source: WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Six to 12 inches of snow could accumulate in some of the state’s highest elevations by Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through Wednesday afternoon for parts of Tucker, Randolph, Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Webster and Pocahontas counties with elevations at 3,000 feet or above expected to get the highest snowfall totals. (more…)
The American and Ohio flags fly overhead the 2nd Street floodgates in Portsmouth, Ohio, Feb. 20, 2018. With flood levels rising to more than five feet over flood stage during Presidents Day weekend, members of the Ohio National Guard’s 1191st Engineer Company were called out to erect flood gates in the event the rising waters threaten the city.
By: National Guard Bureau | Posted: Feb. 26, 2018 | Source: U.S. Army
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – For the second time last week, the Ohio National Guard has activated Soldiers from the 1191st Engineering Company to support Portsmouth, Ohio, by raising additional floodgates as flooding continues.
About 40 Soldiers with the 1191st, based in Portsmouth, deployed again on state active duty Feb. 23 to respond to rising waters that continue to threaten the local community, where several Soldiers live and work. Working alongside the Scioto County Emergency Management Agency and the city of Portsmouth Flood Defense Division, the Citizen-Soldiers erected two additional floodgates along the Ohio River.
The 1191st was first activated on Sunday, Feb. 18 through Tuesday, Feb. 20, to build two floodgates at the city’s lowest elevation where the need was most immediate.
The 1191st is a horizontal engineering company, capable of operating heavy construction equipment to move tons of earth and material in order to complete construction projects, including the construction of roads and airfields, placing culverts, hauling construction materials and providing force protection.
And in nearby West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice on Friday directed the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (WVDHSEM) and the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) to prepare for potential widespread flooding across the Mountain State over the weekend.
To prepare, the WVNG positioned liaison officers (LNOs) in county emergency operations centers (EOC) that are expecting the most impact from potential flooding. Liaison officers work alongside county emergency managers and EOC directors to conduct damage assessments, develop action plans and determine what National Guard assets are available and that can be used for recovery operations.
West Virginia National Guard units staged resources in areas that have an increased risk of flooding.
The newly formed West Virginia National Guard Swift Water Rescue Team, in conjunction with Clendenin and Glasgow Volunteer firefighters, and the search and extraction element of the CBRNE Enhanced Response Force (CERFP) will also be available in the event West Virginia citizens need to be rescued from high water.
“Our West Virginia first responders and the West Virginia National Guard are the best this Nation has to offer as a homeland response force in the event of a state emergency,” said Justice, the governor.
“This is what we train for and it’s what we are exceptional at – being there when the citizens of West Virginia need us most. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and are ready to respond,” said Maj. Gen. James Hoyer, the state adjutant general.
Else, state officials are keeping an eye on heavy rain. The states of Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri are under emergency declarations, which allow for quick mobilization of resources in the event of flooding.
Contributing: Ohio and West Virginia National Guard public affairs.
By: Paige Madden | Posted: Feb. 25, 2018 | Source: WTRF
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (WTRF) – Haley Litman lives off of 12th Street in Moundsville and said it is a huge relief to hear the expected river crest has significantly decreased.
“It is so stressful to have to wait. You’re just waiting for it to come, and when the prediction goes down, it’s a big stress off your shoulders,” said Litman. (more…)
By: Jessie Shafer | Posted: Feb. 23, 2018 | Source: WOWKTV
JACKSON COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – Soldiers and Airmen with the West Virginia National Guard and swift water rescue teams from Glasgow and Clendenin Volunteer Fire Departments have made their way to assist with preparing for severe weather and flooding in Moundsville, West Virginia and the surrounding region.
The crew of nearly thirty men and women met at the Love’s Truck Stop in Fairplain, in Jackson County, West Virginia, to stage, fill up their fuel tanks, and take off to their destination around 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 23.
In an interview with 13 News, Chief Kevin Clendenin of the Clendenin Volunteer Fire Department said they will be there to “look at the vulnerable areas and talk to them [residents] about our assets and what we can do for them and get prepared.”
Major Wally Hatfield with the National Guard said being prepared is key. “The best thing is to adhere to the warnings,” he said. “Stay out of moving water. Don’t cross water. If you’ve been asked to evacuate, the best thing to do is evacuate.”
According to first responders, their crews have staged their emergency operation center inside of the Moundsville armory, and are “waiting on the storm.”
Stay with 13 News for more on this developing story.
Posted: Feb. 17, 2018 at 12:15 a.m. | Source: WSAZ
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) — Heavy rain, flooding and more rain expected this weekend has prompted West Virginia Governor Jim Justice to declare a state of emergency.
According to a news release sent out shortly after midnight Saturday:
“West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice declared a State of Emergency early Saturday for all 55 counties, after heavy rain triggered flooding in multiple locations and was expected to continue throughout the weekend.
The State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is now on enhanced watch status and will continue to monitor the situation. The EOC will be fully activated if necessary. The West Virginia National Guard has also been notified and put on stand-by for potential mobilization to assist local and county emergency agencies.”
Stay with WSAZ all weekend for the latest on your forecast.
UPDATED: Feb. 16, 2018 at 3:41 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended the FLOOD WARNING for Kanawha, Roane and Clay Counties until 7:00 p.m. Stay tuned for more updates if and when they become available.
Originally Posted: Feb. 16, 2018 at 10:12 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Kanawha, Roane and Clay Counties until 4:00 p.m. Heavy rains are possible today. We will continue to bring you more information throughout the day.
The yard of a home on Orchard Road, in the Fayette County community of Whipple, was flooded after heavy weekend rains.
Photo by F. Brian Ferguson | Gazette-Mail
By: Staff Reports | Posted: Feb. 11, 2018 | Source: WV Gazette-Mail
The heavy rains that led to flood warnings in much of West Virginia Sunday morning mostly moved out by afternoon, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said.
The flood warning that had been in effect for southeastern Kanawha County and much of the state south of the Interstate 64 corridor and east of the Interstate 79 corridor was expected to expire Sunday afternoon. (more…)
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, WV there is a Flood Watch for Kanawha and Clay County, West Virginia and a Winter Weather Advisory for Roane County, West Virginia. Moderate to heavy rain expected overnight into midday Wednesday. Flood Watch is in effect from late tonight through Wednesday afternoon.
Below is a detailed description of the Flood Watch from the National Weather Service:
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a Flood Watch for portions of northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and West Virginia, including the following areas, in northeast Kentucky, Boyd, Carter, Greenup, and Lawrence KY. In southeast Ohio, Gallia and Lawrence, OH. In West Virginia, Barbour, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Northwest Nicholas, Northwest Pocahontas, Northwest Randolph, Northwest Webster, Pleasants, Putnam, Ritchie, Roane, Southeast Nicholas, Southeast Pocahontas, Southeast Randolph, Southeast Webster, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Wirt, and Wood.
From late tonight through Wednesday afternoon.
A large weather system is expected to move through the region tonight and exit late Wednesday afternoon and evening. This system has the potential to produce up to 2 inches of rain over the watch area. With the ground being wet over the lowlands and snow in the Northern mountains, and temperatures rising into the 40s, runoff and snowmelt will be efficient flowing into the streams and rivers.
Flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas and roads along streams, creeks and rivers are possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
By: Anna Taylor | Posted: Jan. 16, 2018 | Source: WVAH
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — Snow is expected to continue to fall throughout the evening in the region, with the heaviest accumulation expected during the afternoon commute.
The latest round of winter weather has led to a number of school closings or dismissing early. Kanawha County Schools will be dismissing two hours early. Third Base and evening extracurricular activities also are canceled. Other schools districts closed for the day include Putnam, Cabell, Lincoln, Clay, Jackson, Mason, Harrison, Lewis, Gilmer, Barbour, Calhoun, Mingo, Wayne and Wirt. Wyoming County is dismissing at noon. Fayette County is closing three hours early.
In Ohio, the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are closed and all athletic events have been canceled, a school spokeswoman said. Meanwhile in Kentucky, Boyd and Elliott counties are closed.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Tuesday for areas in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.
West Virginia counties under the advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston are Wayne, Cabell, Mason, Jackson, Wood, Pleasants, Tyler, Lincoln, Putnam, Kanawha, Roane, Wirt, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Clay, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, Upshur and Barbour.
In Kentucky, counties under the watch include Greenup, Carter, Boyd and Lawrence.
Meanwhile, Ohio counties included are Meigs, Gallia and Lawrence.
A winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday for Pocahontas County in West Virginia.
During a winter weather advisory for snow, periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Slippery road conditions are expected. The National Weather Service advises drivers to be prepared for reduced visibilities at times.
In the Kanawha Valley, 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected. Some areas could see 5 inches. Kanawha County had less than an inch as of 8:30 a.m. The area can expect about an inch by noon and another 2 to 3 inches throughout the afternoon and evening. For the latest Eyewitness News Storm Team forecast, click here.
The heaviest snowfall is expected between 3 and 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Four minor crashes have been reported in the St. Albans and Cross Lanes areas since 6:30 a.m., according to Metro 911. In Athens County, Ohio, emergency officials said the county is under a level two snow emergency. Emergency officials said only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be out on the roads.
A flight from Yeager Airport to Charlotte has been canceled. For flight updates, go here.
Send your weather videos and photos here.
By: Jeff Morris | Posted: Jan. 15, 2018 | Source: WVAH
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After a dose of freezing rain and snow over the weekend, Round 2 of winter weather could be coming to the region.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Tuesday for multiple counties in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected in northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio and much of the West Virginia lowlands with slippery road conditions possible. (more…)
