Flash Flood — Logan, West Virginia

2004-05-30 to 2004-05-31 · near Countywide, Logan, West Virginia

Event narrative

The axis of heavier rain ran east out of Mingo County through central and southern Logan County, generally south and east of the city of Logan. The maximum rain amounts dampened just slightly from Mingo County, with a maximum of around 4 inches. The 24 hour rain amount at the cooperative observer at Man was 4.15 inches. A gauge south of Holden near Pickering Knob and the county line measured 3.5 inches. The Island Creek basin, including Cooperas Mine Fork and Whitman Creek, plus other streams such Rich Creek and Buffalo Creek were in the heaviest rains over Logan County. Communities such as Holden, Whitman, Cora, Omar, Chauncey, Switzer, Monaville, and Wilkinson were hit hard by flash flooding. The Mt Gay business area was hit hard by the combination of the Island Creek flash flood and the swollen Guyandotte River. Water was 3 to 4 feet deep in some businesses. The Guyandotte River crested at 26.2 feet at Logan, slightly higher than the May 1996 crest of 25.7 feet. The river crest was the highest level since R. D. Bailey Dam, and the 10th highest on record. Flood stage at Logan is 23 feet.Damage assessment counted 31 homes destroyed, most of which were mobile homes. Major damage occurred to 204 homes.

Wider weather episode

The flash flooding in Mingo, Logan, and Wyoming Counties became part of the federal disaster area. Additional flooding, but on a more localized scale, would occur in the disaster area in early June. Around 500 National Guard troops were used in the flood cleanup and recovery. Some of the units had just returned from 14 months in Irag. The only uniform available to some of the troops, was what they wore home. The rest of their gear was still awaiting shipment back to West Virginia. As a result, some of the troops were in desert camouflage, while working in Mingo County. One soldier said, "they won't care what we're wearing, just as long as we're down here." In comparison to Mingo, Logan, and Wyoming Counties, the flooding was minor across sections of Raleigh and Boone Counties. The Marsh Fork and the Clear Fork basins of western Raleigh County saw a dampened rain maximum compared to points further west. Rains of 2.5 to 3 inches were measured in parts of Raleigh County. The stream gauge on the Clear Fork near Leevale crested at the 18 foot bankfull level. A rain maximum of 3 to 3.5 inches likely fell over extreme southeastern portions of Boone County. This caused minor flooding along the Pond and Spruce Forks, plus the Little Coal River near Madison and Danville. One house was moved off its foundation by a landslide along Route 3 between Seth and Orgas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5397961. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.