CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The National Weather Service has placed more than half of the state’s counties under a flood watch from late Friday night through the day Saturday.
According to meteorologists, rainfall amounts from 1.5 to as much as 3 inches are possible in the watch areas.
Counties under the flood watch include: Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Mason, Mingo, Monongalia, Pleasants, Preston, Putnam, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wetzel, Wirt and Wood counties.
?***Flood Watch*** has been expanded to include much of the area for late tonight through Saturday night. In addition, the threat for strong to severe storms ⚡️has increased for Saturday/Saturday evening across northeast KY and western WV. #kywx #ohwx #wvwx pic.twitter.com/WNAmyuzmGa
— NWS Charleston, WV (@NWSCharlestonWV) December 31, 2021
Gov. Jim Justice has placed all 55 counties under a State of Preparedness to line up resources just in case there’s a problem.
A statement from the National Weather Service about possible impacts of the rain: Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.
Mild temperatures on Saturday are expected to dip toward the freezing mark during the day on Sunday which could create snowy conditions in the state’s higher elevations.