Flash Flood — Kanawha, West Virginia

2003-06-11 · near Charleston, Kanawha, West Virginia

Event narrative

Thunderstorm cells developed and intensified on the north side of a large complex of showers. Rains of 2.5 to 3.5 inches fell between 1340 and 1500E, in a narrow corridor from the Fort Hill section of Charleston on northeast, toward Big Chimney, Pinch, and Elkview. Charleston's airport received 2.4 inches of rain. Meanwhile, further east, the State Capital area of Charleston had less than 0.75 inches. Prior to these downpours, the ground was dampened by a lighter thunderstorm. Around a third of an inch of rain was measured at the airport between 1000 and 1100E. Also, 4 days earlier, on the 7th, an inch fell.Severe flash flooding occurred. Flooding was seen along such waterways as Magazine Branch, Sugar Creek, Woodward Branch, Mink Shoal Run, Coopers Creek, Indian Creek, Pinch Creek, and Blue Creek. The majority of the damage in Charleston was from Magazine Branch along Garrison Avenue. Urban development on adjacent hilltops also aided the runoff into the hollow. This stream is piped underground about halfway down the hollow. The 8 foot diameter conduit could not handle the runoff, forcing the excess to run down the street, flooding homes on either side. The most damage in the hollow was below Rockaway Road. Three homes were moved off their foundations, many others received water damage. Several vehicles were also flooded. Further northeast, stores, garages, and vehicles were flooded at the Pinch to Quick intersection. Six to 8 mobile homes were knocked off their foundations by flood waters along Turner Road near Elkview. This flood was the initial event, that when combined with additional flash flooding in June, prompted a federal disaster declaration. See FEMA's declaration number 1474 for the specifics.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5366172. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.