CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch through 7 p.m. Monday in 18 West Virginia counties.
The counties under the watch include Barbour, Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel, Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Pleasants, Wirt, and Wood.
Strong storms were reported across the state Monday afternoon containing heavy rain and wind gusts close to 50 mph.
The weather made driving conditions difficult. A head-on crash on U.S. Route 35 in Putnam County was expected to force the closure of the highway for a few hours. Kanawha County Metro 911 also reported numerous crashes.