Flood — Jefferson, West Virginia

2025-05-14 to 2025-05-15 · near Harpers Ferry, Jefferson, West Virginia

Event narrative

The Potomac River at Harpers Ferry river gauge reached minor flood stage with a peak crest of 19.65 feet. At 18 feet, due to backwater effects on the Shenandoah River, floodwaters cover much of the Hamilton Street area of historic Harpers Ferry, and approach the employee parking lot. At 18.5 feet, the employee parking lot at historic Harpers Ferry floods. At 19.5 feet, floodwaters begin to cover the old federal armory site at historic Harpers Ferry. Backwater from the Shenandoah covers most areas between the normal river channel and the elevated Winchester & Potomac Railroad tracks.

Wider weather episode

A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area bringing localized heavy rain and a long duration moderate rain event.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.3402, -77.7494)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1251834. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.