CHARLESTON — A flood watch is in effect through Sunday for most of the state, the National Weather Service (NWS) reports.

The NWS declared a flood watch Thursday for most of West Virginia, including Randolph, Barbour, Upshur, Tucker and Pocohontas counties. The watch for Randolph, Barbour, Upshur and Pocohontas counties is in effect through the morning of July 12. In Tucker County, the watch is in effect through Thursday evening.

The NWS website states that “flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible” and that “excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.”

According to the NWS, rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected Thursday through Saturday night across the region. Locally heavy rainfall will be expected at times, with the potential for instances of flash flooding “given recent rainfall, especially in locations that have compromised soils.”

Flooding potential will be greatest on Friday and Saturday “when showers and thunderstorms will be numerous,” the NWS states.

The National Weather Service asks that residents monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action

should flash flood warnings be issued. Additional information can be found on the NWS website and on the organization’s social media pages.

A flash flood warning has already been declared for Thursday afternoon in the Morgantown and Fairmont areas. A flood watch has also been declared in multiple other states, including all of Kentucky and most of Tennessee and Maryland.