Strong Wind — Southeast Fayette, West Virginia

2020-04-13 · Southeast Fayette, West Virginia

Event narrative

Multiple trees were blown down in the towns of Powelton, Fayetteville, Paint Creek, Charlton Heights, and Meadow Bridge. Personal weather stations in the area measured gusts nearing 50 miles per hour.

Wider weather episode

An intense low pressure system crossed into the Ohio Valley during the early morning hours on the 13th, with a strong line of thunderstorms aligned along a surface cold front. Multiple areas saw tree and structural damage with these storms. A tightened pressure gradient formed over the state, inflicting strong synoptic winds outside of the thunderstorms. Numerous trees were blown down, knocking power out to multiple areas. Near Mt. Hope in NW Fayette County, a 50 foot section of brick wall collapsed at the municipal stadium. Other buildings sustained roof damage around Mt. Hope. Nearby, the Beckley ASOS gusted to 53 mph. Many personal and DOT weather stations measured gusts around 50 mph across the region.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 881769. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.