A Flood Watch has been issued for Tyler, Pleasants, Ritchie, Doddridge, Harrison, Taylor, Lewis, Braxton, Gilmer, Calhoun, Wirt, Wood Counties among others into eastern Ohio from 7:00 PM Thursday until 10:00 AM Friday.
Periods of heavy rainfall will develop especially after midnight into the early hours Friday. Excessive rainfall in the 1.5 to 2.5 inch rain is expected with locally higher amounts possible. This new rain combined with snow/ice melt may lead to quickly rising water levels and ice jam flooding.
Folks in/around flood-prone spots should remain on high alert for rapidly rising water levels and be ready to take action should flooding develop.
Ice jam flooding occurs when prolonged cold periods are followed by quick warm-ups and moderate to heavy rainfall. This combination can lead to problems in places that otherwise provide proper drainage. Excessive runoff from rain and snowmelt can build up and break lose all at once as the ice gives way, resulting in difficult-to-predict flooding and drainage problems.
Flooding can be especially hazardous at night when visibility is reduced. Most flooding fatalities occur in vehicles. Remember, if you encounter flooded roadways, turn around, don’t drown. Find an alternate route or wait for the water to recede.
