Heavy rains trigger flooding across W.Va.
CHARLESTON (AP) –Flood warnings continue along the Ohio River in West Virginia following recent heavy rains.
The National Weather Service says the Ohio River was nearly seven feet above flood stage Sunday at Point Pleasant. It was expected to fall below flood stage by sometime this morning.
The river at Parkersburg was nearly four feet above flood stage and expected to fall below flood stage by Monday morning.
The river at Huntington was about 1.5 feet above flood stage and expected to fall below flood stage sometime tonight.
All three cities are protected by flood walls.
Gov. Jim Justice has issued a state of emergency for West Virginia’s 55 counties due to flooding.
Justice issued the state of emergency early Saturday after heavy rain triggered flooding in multiple locations.
The National Weather Service says rain mixed with snow was falling in northern West Virginia on Saturday.
Precipitation was expected to continue throughout the weekend.
The State Emergency Operations Center is on enhanced watch status.
The National Guard has been put on stand-by for potential mobilization to help emergency agencies.
Rain has caused small streams and creeks to flood. Rock slides and road closings have been reported.
Weather officials say the West Fork, Tiger Valley, Little Kanawha, Buckhannon and Monongahela rivers were cresting Saturday.
Much of the Ohio River was expected to crest Sunday into today.