Flash Flood in Wyoming County, West Virginia

Streams such as Cub Creek, Huff Creek, and Indian Creek flooded. The area around Hanover was hard hit. The preliminary damage assessment for the county, counted 4 single family homes and 4 mobile homes destroyed. Major damage occurred to 36 single family homes and 1 mobile home.

Several mid level disturbances acted on instability and high precipitable water to result in repetitive showers and thunderstorms. One complex of showers and thunderstorms moved out of southern Ohio into West Virginia during the early afternoon on Saturday the 12th. It helped trigger heavier rains on its southern and southwestern flank as the afternoon continued. A west to east oriented train of downpours developed. This train of heavy rain moved through Logan, northeastern Mingo, Wyoming Counties during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 12th. The downpours eventually sank south into northern McDowell County later that same evening. The rain diminished between 0000E and 0300E on Sunday the 13th.

Rain amounts of 3 to 5 inches occurred in about a 12 to 15 hour time frame. Some preliminary rain amounts included R. D. Bailey Lake with 4.82 inches, Man had 4.81 inches, Pineville 4.25 inches, and Oceana 3.33 inches.

At the onset of this rain, the ground was wetter than normal. Rains had been occurring at intervals of every 2 or 3 days during the preceding days in June.

Small stream flooding was widespread. With the steep terrain, much of the damage was not caused directly by stream flooding, but rather the runoff directly down the mountain slopes. Mud, rocks, and vegetation came off the slopes and into dwellings. In some cases shoving buildings off their foundations. Roads and bridges were closed and damaged.

A strong rise occurred along the upper Guyandotte River. Even downstream of the R. D. Bailey Dam, the level in the community of Man crested at 16.6 feet around 0230E on the 13th, slightly over its 15 foot estimated flood stage. The river crested just below the 23 foot stage in the city of Logan. However, this river flooding did not cause much damage.

Governor Manchin declared a state of emergency. Around 100 National Guard troops were used in the clean up. Feeding stations were provided by church and relief organizations. A few overnight relief shelters were opened. A presidental disaster declaration was signed for the four counties of Logan, Wyoming, Mcdowell, and Mingo. See FEMA disaster number 1918 for more details.