WITCHER CREEK, W.Va. — Kanawha County Emergency Services Director C.W. Sigman is urging residents in part of eastern Kanawha County to seek higher ground with flash flooding underway.
“It’s pretty bad, seek higher ground in the flood prone area,” Sigman told MetroNews.
Kanawha County has issued a state of emergency.
‼️ SEVERE FLOODING EMERGENCY UPDATE ‼️
August 28, 2023 8:20 AMAbout 0.5 inches to 1 inch of rain is expected over the next hour.
This is an ongoing, life-threatening emergency. Please seek higher ground. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH HIGH WATER. TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN. pic.twitter.com/wHy5OGbR5g
— Kanawha County (@kanawhaus) August 28, 2023
High water is reported along Witcher Creek, Kelley’s Creek and Fields Creek. There are several water rescues underway.
“If your kids are at school they are fine,” Sigman said.
There is no water reported in any schools.
Kanawha County Schools did close Riverside High, East Bank Middle, Dupont Middle and Carver Career and Technical Center.
Crazy conditions on the WV Turnpike today! #wvwx pic.twitter.com/PMgOHuCWYq
— Chris Stansbury 🇺🇸 (@StansburyforWV) August 28, 2023
Authorities said Cabin Creek Road in the Sharon area has closed at the West Virginia Turnpike entrance and exit ramps due to high water.
BREAKING: @NWSCharlestonWV has issued flash flood warnings for parts of eastern Kanawha County. @JeffJenkinsMN 3″ of rain has fallen and 4″ more possible. Water rescues this hour in the area. Follow developments now on the West Virginia Morning News on @WVMetroNews
— Chris Lawrence (@WVOutdoors) August 28, 2023
Sigman said water has gotten into some homes and some fire stations in the warned area.
Mudslides also caused some water and rocks to slide into part of the West Virginia Turnpike in eastern Kanawha County.
Some of the same areas had high water Saturday night.
Flash Flood Warning including Clendenin WV until 12:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/ZVFTIDTSsg
— NWS Charleston, WV (@NWSCharlestonWV) August 28, 2023
The community of Clendenin in northern Kanawha County has also been added to the flood warning along with areas of Boone County in the Racine and Comfort areas.
The flash flood warning is in effect in Kanawha County until noon Monday.
The National Weather Service has also issued a flash flood warning for parts of Braxton, Roane, Clay and Calhoun counties. The warning is in effect until 12:30 p.m.