Flash Flood Warning issued September 22 at 5:30PM EDT until September 22 at 8:30PM EDT by NWS Charleston WV The National Weather Service in Charleston WV has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Braxton, WV; Lewis, WV; Randolph, WV; Upshur, WV; Webster, WV until 8:30 PM EDT. This is a live snapshot as of 2:32 PM PDT. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.
For restoration teams, a flash flood warning is the interior water-intrusion call window: saturated drywall and insulation, flooded basements and crawl spaces, sewer backups in low-lying neighborhoods, and vehicles ruined in submerged underpasses — the exact jobs mitigation crews see most.
Braxton, WV — Flash Flood Warning
Issuing office: NWS Charleston WV. Issued: 5:30 PM EDT. Expires: 8:30 PM EDT.
FFWRLX
The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for…
Eastern Braxton County in north central West Virginia…
West Central Randolph County in northeastern West Virginia…
Upshur County in northeastern West Virginia…
Northern Webster County in northeastern West Virginia…
Southeastern Lewis County in northern West Virginia…
* Until 830 PM EDT.
* At 530 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
IMPACT…Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include…
Buckhannon, Rock Cave, Holly River State Park, Burnsville,
Flatwoods, Kanawha Head, Eden, Cleveland, Ireland, Walkersville,
French Creek, Alexander, Hacker Valley, Alton, Falls Mills,
Helvetia, Horner, Lorentz, Tallmansville and Diana.
This includes the following highways…
Interstate 79 between mile markers 73 and 81…and between mile
markers 86 and 87. Route 33 between mile markers 2 and 7…and
between mile markers 15 and 17.
This includes the following streams and drainages…
Hughes Fork, Jerry Run, Laurel Fork Sand Run, Left Fork Buckhannon
River, Desert Fork, Falls Run, Jenks Fork, Long Run, Left Fork
Falls Run, Marsh Fork, Devil Fork, O'Brien Fork, Hackers Creek,
Getout Run, See Shanty Run, Wheeler Fork, Lynn Camp Run, Wolfpen
Run, Redlick Run, Hodam Creek, Pecks Run, Browns Run, Buffalo Run,
Middle Fork Right Fork Buckhannon River, Little Knawl Creek, West
Fork River, Elk Creek, Rooting Creek, Fink Run, Elk River, West
Fork River (SJ Lake), Sugar Run, Grassy Creek, Indian Fork, Laural
Run, Spruce Fork, Birch River, Bluelick Run, Tenmile Creek, Big
Run, Left Fork Sand Run, Hickory Flat Run, French Creek, Middle
Fork River, Salt Lick Creek, Little Sand Run, Cherry Fork,
Carpenter Fork, Honey Camp Run, Sand Fork, Saltlick Creek, Brooks
Creek, Hyers Run, Burns Run, Dumpling Run, Right Fork Holly River,
Bragg Run, Skin Creek, Stouts Run, Right Fork Stonecoal Creek,
Grassy Run, Berry Fork, Bearcamp Run, Little Skin Creek, Turkey
Run, Right Fork Middle Fork River, Mud Lick, Brook Run, Howell
Fork, Straight Fork, Right Fork Little Kanawha River, Right Fork
West Fork River, Laurel Run, Sand Run, Little Pecks Run, Oil Creek,
Flesher Run, Stonecoal Creek, Missouri Creek, Lost Run, Little
Laurel Fork, Little Kanawha River, Laurel Fork, Lower Big Run, Frog
Run, Left Fork Right Fork Buckhannon River, Left Fork Holly River,
Bens Run, Kanawha Run, Threelick Run, Right Fork Little Kanawha,
Cedar Creek, Right Fork Laurel Fork, Log Hollow Run, Millsite Run,
Grass Run, Buckhannon River, Bridge Run, Brush Run, Slab Camp Fork,
Sugarcamp Run, Laurel Creek, Short Run, Knawl Creek, England Run,
Right Fork Buckhannon River, Left Fork Wolf Creek, Left Fork Knawl
Creek, Three Forks Run and McAvoy Run.
Named locations in the warning path: Buckhannon, Rock Cave, Holly River State Park, Burnsville, Flatwoods, Kanawha Head, Eden, Cleveland, Ireland, Walkersville,
Source: the NWS active alerts feed.
Stay safe tonight
Turn around, don’t drown. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles — never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Six inches of moving water can knock an adult down; a foot can sweep a car away.
If water enters your home: stay out of standing water where electricity may be present, avoid the basement until the water recedes and the power is confirmed off, and photograph everything before cleanup begins — documentation matters for insurance. Then call a local restoration contractor. Water left sitting starts a second wave of damage (mold, swelling, odor) within a day.
NWS instruction: Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. Report flooding to the National Weather Service by calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when you can do so safely.
What this means for restoration teams
Flash flood warnings translate into a predictable damage profile: interior water intrusion at doorways and foundation walls, saturated drywall and insulation requiring flood cuts, flooring loss, sewage backup in low-lying areas, and soaked vehicles and outbuildings. Mold risk starts at 24–48 hours on wet porous materials.
The play: stage equipment now — air movers, dehumidifiers, extraction units — pre-position drying assets near the warned corridor, and keep an on-call rotation through the morning. Capture the address, the water source (clean rainwater vs. contaminated floodwater), and every affected room on the first call; it determines the mitigation category and the estimate.
Field discipline: photo-document before mitigation starts, moisture-map every affected room (not just the visibly wet ones), and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work begins. Floodwater is almost always Category 3 — treat it as contaminated and do not let homeowners wade through it to “save” belongings.
FEMA & federal assistance
FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local, 7 days). DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app, and fema.gov/drc for recovery centers. Basic eligibility: citizenship or qualified status, identity verification, proof of occupancy or ownership, and unmet needs not covered by insurance. Apply as soon as it is safe to do so.
Looking ahead
When this warning expires at 8:30 PM EDT, the danger does not necessarily end. Flooded creeks can crest after the heaviest rain has passed, downed lines and weakened trees keep roads dangerous, and additional storm rounds may follow. Watch for updated NWS alerts before heading out.
Demand window note: damage-discovery calls typically start within hours and keep coming for days as people find what the storm left behind — wicking drywall, buckling floors, musty odors, and hail marks show up 24–72 hours later. Restoration teams should expect the intake line to stay busy well past the warning’s expiration.
Sources & how to verify
- NWS active alerts feed
- National Weather Service in Charleston WV office page
- Check weather.gov for your county or ZIP code.
This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.
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