Uncategorized - Tygart Media

Category: Uncategorized

  • Flash Flood Warning: Harlan, KY Area Until 2:45 AM EDT

    Flash flood warning in effect for Harlan County until 2:45 AM EDT

    The National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky has issued a Flash Flood Warning for central Harlan County, effective immediately and running until 2:45 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. At 12:08 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area — between 1.5 and 3.5 inches of rain have already fallen, and additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 2 inches are possible. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

    For restoration teams across southeastern Kentucky, this is the exact profile that turns into interior flooding jobs by morning: saturated ground, overwhelmed drainage, and water pushing into homes and businesses in the middle of the night, with the National Weather Service rating this a life-threatening flash flood event.

    This is a live snapshot as of 3:15 AM EDT on September 22, 2026. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code before acting.

    Harlan County, KY — Flash Flood Warning

    • Issuing office: National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky
    • Issued: 12:08 AM EDT, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
    • Expires: 2:45 AM EDT, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
    • Alert type: Flash Flood Warning (VTEC: /O.CON.KJKL.FF.W.0070)
    • Detection: Radar indicated

    What the radar shows: Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 3.5 inches of rain have fallen, and additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 2 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

    Hazard: Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing flash flooding.

    Source: Radar indicated.

    Impact: Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

    Locations that will experience flash flooding include: Harlan, Loyall, Evarts, Kildav, Bailey Creek, Verda, Darkmont, Putney, Ages, Short Town, Kenvir, Coxton, Colts, Black Mountain, Nolansburg, Shields, Rosspoint, Golden Ash, Chevrolet and Lenarve.

    Track the latest directly from the NWS Jackson, Kentucky office page and the alert source at the National Weather Service.

    Stay safe tonight

    Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles — never drive through a flooded roadway, and never trust that a road is passable just because it looks shallow.

    Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. If you are in the warned area, stay off the roads unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order.

    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.
    • Photograph everything before cleanup begins — documentation matters for insurance, and adjusters want to see the water line before mitigation equipment moves in.
    • Call a local restoration contractor as soon as it is safe. Water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day, and after a night like this, the phone lines at good contractors fill fast.

    If you observe flooding, report it to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass the information to the National Weather Service — you can do so safely once you are on high ground.

    What this means for restoration teams

    This is the signature section for a reason: a life-threatening flash flood warning at 3 AM in Harlan County becomes a week of water-intrusion work. Here’s how to read it.

    Damage categories to expect: Interior water intrusion through doorways, crawlspace vents, and below-grade entries is the headline job. Saturated drywall and insulation in finished basements and ground-floor rooms follows. With 1.5 to 3.5 inches already down and another round possible, expect sewage backup calls in low-lying areas where combined systems and septic fields are overwhelmed — and with mountain creeks and streams in the impact zone, washout debris can redirect water into buildings in ways the homeowner never saw before.

    Mold clock: Water left sitting starts secondary damage within 24 hours and mold colonization within 24–48 hours. Overnight flood events are the worst for this — the homeowner sleeps through the intrusion and finds it at daylight, already six to ten hours into the clock.

    The play for tonight:

    • Stage equipment now — extractors, air movers, dehumidifiers — before the first call lands. Water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and keep coming for days as people discover damage.
    • Keep an on-call rotation through the morning. The discovery wave hits at first light.
    • On the first call, capture address, water source, and affected areas — triage order is: life safety, source stoppage, extraction, drying. Know before you roll whether you’re walking into a finished basement or a crawlspace.
    • Field discipline: Photo-document before mitigation (the water line is your proof), moisture-map every affected room, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts — deductible and coverage conversations go better before the equipment is humming.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If flooding damages your home or property, federal assistance may be available through FEMA:

    • FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week)
    • Apply online: DisasterAssistance.gov
    • Find recovery centers: fema.gov/drc or the FEMA mobile app

    Basic eligibility: U.S. 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 — you do not need to wait for a disaster declaration to register your damage.

    Looking ahead

    The warning is scheduled to expire at 2:45 AM EDT. What to watch after that: creeks and streams in Harlan County can crest after the rain stops, so flooding in low-lying areas may continue even once the warning lifts. Additional rounds of thunderstorms are possible overnight — the alert itself flags another 0.5 to 2 inches as possible, which would be a second wave on already-saturated ground.

    Watch the NWS Jackson page for extensions, upgrades, or new warnings through the early morning hours. NWS updates can arrive without notice when radar trends shift.

    Demand window note: Water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and keep coming for days as people discover damage. Contractors who staged equipment tonight work the week; contractors who wait for the phones to ring chase it.

    Sources & how to verify

    • National Weather Service alert: Flash Flood Warning, Harlan County KY — issued by NWS Jackson, Kentucky, 12:08 AM EDT September 22, 2026, expiring 2:45 AM EDT.
    • The NWS emergency message for this warning: “NWS: FLASH FLOOD WARNING this area til 2:45 AM EDT. Avoid flooded areas.”

    To verify for your own county or ZIP code: visit weather.gov, enter your ZIP, and check the alerts box — or go straight to your local NWS office page.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Flash Flood Warning: South Central Pike County, KY Area Until 2 AM EDT

    A Flash Flood Warning is active for South Central Pike County in southeastern Kentucky right now. The National Weather Service in Jackson, Kentucky issued the warning at 10:59 PM EDT Monday, September 21, and it runs until 2:00 AM EDT Tuesday, September 22. Doppler radar is showing thunderstorms dumping heavy rain over the warned area, and between 2 and 4 inches of rain have already fallen in the last 12 hours.

    For restoration teams, this is the exact setup that produces the interior-flooding jobs seen most after these events: creeks out of their banks, urban streets and underpasses under water, and water finding its way into homes and businesses in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.

    This is a live snapshot as of 8:05 PM PDT Monday, September 21 (11:05 PM EDT). Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    South Central Pike County, KY — Flash Flood Warning

    Issuing office: NWS Jackson KY (Jackson, Kentucky). Issued: 10:59 PM EDT Monday, September 21. Expires: 2:00 AM EDT Tuesday, September 22.

    What the alert says, verbatim: At 10:59 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain have fallen in the last 12 hours. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

    Hazard: Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. Source: Radar indicated.

    Expected impacts: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

    Locations in the path: Elkhorn City, Cedarville, Belcher, Mouthcard and Toonerville.

    Sources: NWS Jackson KY office page · NWS alert (api.weather.gov)

    Stay safe tonight

    Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles — that is the National Weather Service’s standing instruction in this warning, and it bears repeating.

    Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Flooded roadways at night hide depth, current, and washed-out pavement.

    If water gets into your home: stay out of standing water where electricity may be present, and avoid the basement until the water recedes and power is confirmed off. Photograph everything before you start cleanup — documentation matters for insurance. Then call a local restoration contractor. Water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day.

    Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement, and ask them to pass the information to the National Weather Service, when you can do so safely.

    What this means for restoration teams

    This warning translates into a specific damage profile for Pike County: interior water intrusion in homes and businesses near Elkhorn City, Cedarville, Belcher, Mouthcard and Toonerville; saturated drywall and insulation wherever creek water or urban runoff reached floor level; mold risk opening within 24–48 hours anywhere materials stay wet; and sewage backup in low-lying areas and poor-drainage spots — the warning names those zones explicitly.

    The play: stage equipment now, before the water recedes. Pre-position drying assets (air movers, dehumidifiers) within reach of the warned corridor. Keep an on-call rotation through the morning — with 2 to 4 inches already down and up to 1 inch more possible, calls will start as soon as daylight lets homeowners see the damage. On the first call, capture address, water source (creek, street runoff, sewer backup, roof), and every affected area before dispatching.

    Field discipline: photo-document before mitigation begins, moisture-map every affected room (water travels behind baseboards and under flooring), and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts. Nighttime flood events make for tired, stressed homeowners — clarity on paper protects both sides.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If damage is widespread, federal assistance may become available. FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or find recovery centers at fema.gov/drc.

    Basic eligibility: U.S. 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 — do not wait for damage to fully reveal itself.

    Looking ahead

    The warning expires at 2:00 AM EDT Tuesday. After that, watch for additional rounds of storms overnight — the ground is saturated after 2 to 4 inches, so much smaller amounts of rain can re-trigger flooding. Small creeks and streams often crest after the heaviest rain has passed, so water levels near waterways can rise even as rainfall eases.

    The next NWS updates land as conditions evolve; keep the Jackson KY office page open through the night. Demand window note: water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and keep coming for days as people discover damage in basements, crawlspaces, and outbuildings.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP code: go to weather.gov, enter your ZIP, or open your local NWS office page and check the alerts box at the top.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Lamb County, TX Area Until 4 PM CDT

    Live snapshot as of 1:35 PM PDT (3:35 PM CDT) — the National Weather Service in Lubbock, Texas, has a destructive severe thunderstorm warning in effect for southeastern Lamb County until 4:00 PM CDT. This is one of the dangerous categories of summer storm on the South Plains: 70 mph wind gusts paired with ping pong ball size hail, radar indicated, with the NWS damage threat flagged at considerable. That is the hail-and-wind combination that puts holes in roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles — the exact interior and exterior repair work restoration and roofing crews across the region spend the next week answering calls about.

    This is a live snapshot as of 1:35 PM PDT. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Littlefield / Spade — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    Issuing office: NWS Lubbock TX (weather.gov/lub)
    Issued: 3:23 PM CDT, Monday, September 21, 2026
    Expires: 4:00 PM CDT, Monday, September 21, 2026
    Coverage: southeastern Lamb County, TX
    Source of hazard: Radar indicated
    Damage threat (NWS): CONSIDERABLE

    At 3:23 PM CDT, the severe thunderstorm was located over Spade, about 8 miles east of Littlefield, and was nearly stationary. The official NWS alert headline reads: “A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 400 PM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN LAMB COUNTY.”

    Verbatim hazard detail from the warning: “HAZARD…70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail.” The alert’s parameter block lists max wind gust at 70 MPH and max hail size at 1.50 inches — radar-indicated hail consistent with ping pong ball size.

    Locations impacted include: Littlefield and Spade.

    Expected impacts, in the NWS’s own words: “People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.”

    NWS instruction: “Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.” Alert source: the NWS alert record via api.weather.gov (VTEC /O.CON.KLUB.SV.W.0262/).

    Stay safe right now

    A storm that is nearly stationary is one that keeps dropping hail and rain on the same place. If you are in southeastern Lamb County:

    • Get indoors and away from windows. Ping pong ball size hail shatters windows and dents vehicles — the NWS explicitly warns people and animals outdoors will be injured.
    • Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. With 70 mph gusts, interior rooms protect you from wind-borne debris and broken glass.
    • Never drive through flooded roadways. Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm and may lead to flash flooding. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles — turn around, don’t drown.
    • Mobile homes need extra respect at 70 mph. The NWS flags wind damage as “also likely” to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. If you are in a mobile home, shelter in a sturdier structure nearby if one is safely reachable.
    • After it passes: if hail or water breached the roof or windows, photograph everything before cleanup or tarping. Documentation matters for insurance — and water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day.

    What this means for restoration teams

    This is the signature hail/wind event of the South Plains storm season, and it reads like a demand forecast for the week ahead.

    Hail first: 1.5-inch hail at near-stationary dwell time over Littlefield and Spade is the profile for roof membrane damage, dented metal roofing, cracked siding, shattered skylights and windows, and body damage on vehicles. The NWS’s own impact line — “Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles” — is about as explicit as these warnings get. Expect the call volume for hail inspection and tarping to start within hours of the storm’s passage and run for days as homeowners discover damage.

    Wind second: 70 mph gusts on trees and structures, with “considerable tree damage” expected, means downed limbs on roofs, lifted shingles, torn flashing, and damaged mobile homes and outbuildings. Wind-lifted roofing plus the torrential rainfall the NWS notes means water intrusion under the envelope even where the roof wasn’t destroyed.

    Water third: “Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.” A nearly stationary storm trains rain over the same drainage — low-lying areas, underpasses, and poor drainage around foundations take the first hits. Flash-flood intrusions in a storm like this are typically the fast, dirty water that saturates drywall and insulation quickly and starts the 24–48 hour mold clock.

    The play: stage equipment now — a storm that parks over a town at 3:30 in the afternoon generates calls before dinner. Pre-position drying assets, keep an on-call rotation through the evening, and capture address, water source, and affected areas on the first call. Photo-document before mitigation, moisture-map every affected room, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If your property is damaged, the FEMA Helpline is 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local, 7 days). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA app, and find recovery centers at fema.gov/drc.

    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’s safe — you don’t need to wait for an inspector to document the damage first, but keep every photo and receipt.

    Looking ahead

    The warning expires at 4:00 PM CDT — and with the storm nearly stationary over Spade at issue time, the back edge of the warned area needs to watch for the warning to be extended or renewed rather than cleanly expiring. The NWS updates these products continuously; treat the next NWS statement as the real all-clear, not the clock alone.

    Watch overnight: nearly stationary severe storms are exactly the setup that produces additional rounds on the same corridor, and creeks and low-lying drainage in southeastern Lamb County can respond to torrential rainfall well after the hail stops. If you live near low ground, keep an eye on it through the evening.

    Demand window note: hail-inspection and water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of the storm passing and keep coming for days as people discover damage — first the tarping and board-up work, then the interior drying once ceilings and windows show their wounds.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP: go to weather.gov, enter your ZIP code, and check active watches and warnings from the local NWS office page.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Flash Flood Warning: Athens Area Until 10 AM EDT

    This is a live snapshot as of September 21, 2026, 01:03 AM PDT. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Lede: Flash Flood Warning active for Athens

    A Flash Flood Warning is active for Athens, OH; Vinton, OH right now, issued by the NWS Charleston WV. This is the exact storm footprint where flash-flood interior water-intrusion jobs begin — restoration teams in the path should be staging now.

    Athens — Flash Flood Warning

    Issued by: NWS Charleston WV
    Sent: 2026-09-21T04:01:00-04:00
    Expires: 10 AM EDT (2026-09-21T10:45:00-04:00)

    Headline: Flash Flood Warning issued September 21 at 4:01AM EDT until September 21 at 10:45AM EDT by NWS Charleston WV

    FFWRLX

    The National Weather Service in Charleston has extended the

    * Flash Flood Warning for…
    Central Athens County in southeastern Ohio…
    Northeastern Vinton County in southeastern Ohio…

    * Until 1045 AM EDT Monday.

    * At 401 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
    heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 4 inches of rain
    have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are
    possible in the warned area. 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…
    Athens, Nelsonville, Lake Hope State Park, Chauncey, Buchtel,
    Amesville, The Plains, Stroud Run State Park and Creola.

    NWS instructions

    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.

    Areas affected: Athens, OH; Vinton, OH

    Source: NWS Charleston WV via the National Weather Service alert feed.

    Stay safe tonight

    Turn around, don’t drown. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles — never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades.

    If water enters your home: stay out of standing water where electricity may be present; avoid the basement until water recedes and power is confirmed off; photograph everything before cleanup (documentation matters for insurance); then call a local restoration contractor. Water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day.

    What this means for restoration teams

    This warning translates into interior water-intrusion jobs: saturated drywall and insulation, flooded basements and crawl spaces, sewage backup in low-lying areas. Mold risk starts within 24–48 hours of wet material left in place.

    The play: stage extraction and drying equipment now, keep an on-call rotation through the morning, and capture address, water source, and affected areas on the first call. Field discipline — photo-document before mitigation, moisture-map every affected room, keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local, 7 days). Also available at DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA app, and fema.gov/drc for disaster recovery centers.

    Basic eligibility: U.S. 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

    This warning runs until 10 AM EDT. When it expires, watch for additional rounds of storms, creeks and rivers cresting later than the rain, and the next NWS update for your county. Water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and keep coming for days as people discover damage.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP: check weather.gov or your local NWS office page.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Southeastern Colorado Until 11:45 PM MDT

    A destructive severe thunderstorm warning is active for parts of southeastern Colorado right now. The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued the warning at 10:56 PM MDT for northeastern Otero County, southwestern Kiowa County, southeastern Crowley County, and northwestern Bent County, and it runs until 11:45 PM MDT. The storm carries 70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail (1.50 inches) with a CONSIDERABLE damage threat tag — the exact combination that produces roofing, siding, and window claims for restoration and roofing teams. This is a live snapshot as of 10:05 PM PDT on September 20, 2026. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Southeastern Colorado — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    Issuing office: National Weather Service in Pueblo, CO. Issued: 10:56 PM MDT, September 20, 2026. Expires: 11:45 PM MDT. Severity: Severe. Certainty: Observed. Urgency: Immediate. VTEC: /O.NEW.KPUB.SV.W.0362.260921T0456Z-260921T0545Z/.

    The warning covers:

    • Northeastern Otero County in southeastern Colorado
    • Southwestern Kiowa County in southeastern Colorado
    • Southeastern Crowley County in southeastern Colorado
    • Northwestern Bent County in southeastern Colorado

    Hazard detail, verbatim from the alert: At 10:55 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Ordway, or 23 miles northwest of La Junta, moving southeast at 25 mph. HAZARD: 70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail. SOURCE: Radar indicated.

    Impact, verbatim: People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

    Locations impacted include: Rocky Ford, Ordway, Swink, Sugar City, Cheraw, and Crowley.

    Official instructions: For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

    Track this warning live at the NWS Pueblo office page and the alert source at weather.gov.

    Stay safe tonight

    Severe thunderstorms with destructive hail are a shelter-first hazard. If you are in the warned counties:

    • Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building, away from windows. The NWS instruction is explicit — do not shelter under trees or in mobile homes.
    • Keep people and animals indoors until the warning expires. Hail at ping pong ball size can injure anyone caught outdoors.
    • If you are driving when hail starts, pull safely off the road and into a covered area if one is immediately available — do not stop under overpasses, which blocks lanes and creates a hazard for other drivers.
    • Bring patio furniture, grills, and anything loose inside or secure it — 70 mph gusts turn yard items into projectiles that break windows and siding.
    • After the storm passes, stay clear of downed power lines and report them to the utility, not 911. Watch for broken tree limbs that can fall later in the night.
    • When it is safe, photograph hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles before any cleanup — date-stamped photos are what insurance carriers and restoration contractors need first. Do not climb on a damaged roof at night.

    What this means for restoration teams

    This is a signature destructive-hail setup for southeastern Colorado, and it is the call pattern roofers and restorers in the Arkansas Valley know well: 70 mph gusts plus 1.50-inch hail against a CONSIDERABLE damage threat. The NWS itself states the expected outcome plainly — hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles, considerable tree damage, and likely wind damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

    Translate that into the job categories that will start ringing overnight and through tomorrow:

    • Roofing claims: bruised and fractured asphalt shingles from ping pong ball hail, lifted or torn shingles from 70 mph gusts, and damaged ridge caps. Expect homeowner calls about visible dimpling, granule piles at downspouts, and leak spots showing up with the next rain.
    • Siding and window damage: cracked vinyl siding, shattered or pitted windows, and damaged screens — the cosmetic damage that drives insurance volume even when roofs hold.
    • Vehicle and outbuilding damage: dented vehicles and damaged sheds, barns, and carports — 70 mph winds work over anything not anchored.
    • Tree damage with interior follow-on: considerable tree damage means broken limbs on roofs and fences, which opens the water-intrusion path if rain follows.

    The play for local contractors: stage now, not tomorrow. Keep an on-call rotation through the morning because hail calls do not wait for business hours — homeowners find the damage at first light and the first contractor to answer owns the job. Capture the address, the storm direction and time, the hail size the homeowner observed, and affected materials on the first call. Field discipline: photo-document everything before any temporary mitigation, tarp compromised roofs the same day to stop the second wave of water damage, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If this storm produces damage that overwhelms local capacity, the standard federal pathway is: FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week), DisasterAssistance.gov, the FEMA mobile app, and fema.gov/drc to locate disaster recovery centers. Basic eligibility: U.S. citizenship or qualified status, identity verification, proof of occupancy or ownership of the damaged home, and unmet needs not covered by insurance. Apply as soon as it is safe to do so. County emergency management may also stand up local damage assessment hotlines after the storm clears.

    Looking ahead

    This warning expires at 11:45 PM MDT. When it does, the immediate sheltering requirement lifts, but the work does not end there. Overnight, watch for additional rounds — the same environment that produced this storm can fire more cells along the same boundary, so keep an eye on the NWS Pueblo page for new warnings. Rivers and creeks are not the concern with this hazard; wind and hail are, and the damage they caused will be discovered in stages over the next several days.

    For contractors, the demand window opens tonight and runs for weeks: emergency tarping and board-up calls come first, then roof inspection and insurance-scoping visits as homeowners file claims, then the full repair and replacement cycle. Water-intrusion callbacks follow any secondary rain, because hail-compromised roofs fail on the next storm, not this one. If you serve Otero, Kiowa, Crowley, or Bent counties, tomorrow morning’s drive-through of Ordway, Rocky Ford, Swink, Sugar City, Cheraw, and Crowley is the move — that is where the storm tracked.

    Sources & how to verify

    Sources: the NWS Pueblo severe thunderstorm warning (issued 10:56 PM MDT, September 20, 2026, AWIPS SVRPUB, WMO WUUS55 KPUB 210456), the NWS Pueblo office page, and weather.gov. To verify for your own county or ZIP code, enter your ZIP at weather.gov or open your local NWS office page — warnings update in real time and expire without notice.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Flash Flood Warning: Meigs County OH and Jackson, Wirt, Wood Counties WV Until 4:30 AM EDT

    STATUS: ACTIVE — FLASH FLOOD WARNING
    Live snapshot as of 12:05 AM EDT Monday, September 21, 2026. This warning is in effect until 4:30 AM EDT Monday. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    The National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia has issued a flash flood warning for east central Meigs County in southeastern Ohio, northeastern Jackson County, southwestern Wirt County, and southwestern Wood County in northwestern West Virginia, in effect until 4:30 AM EDT Monday. At 11:33 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area — between half an inch and seven-tenths of an inch of rain had already fallen, and flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly. The warned area includes the Parkersburg corridor and stretches of Interstate 77 and Route 50 — overnight flooding on those highways is the immediate life-safety concern, and the water-intrusion jobs for restoration teams will follow at dawn.

    Meigs County, Ohio and Jackson, Wirt, Wood Counties, West Virginia — Flash Flood Warning

    Issuing office: NWS Charleston, WV
    Issued: 11:33 PM EDT Sunday, September 20, 2026
    Expires: 4:30 AM EDT Monday, September 21, 2026
    Severity: Severe | Certainty: Likely | Urgency: Immediate

    The NWS warning, verbatim: at 11:33 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 0.7 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.

    Locations that will experience flash flooding include: Parkersburg, Forked Run State Park, Ravenswood, Sandyville, Lubeck, Mineralwells, Rockport, Belleville, Reedsville, Portland, Morristown, and Peewee.

    Highways affected: Interstate 77 in West Virginia between mile markers 143 and 174, and Route 50 in West Virginia between mile markers 8 and 9.

    NWS office: weather.gov/rlx (NWS Charleston).
    Alert source: api.weather.gov — this warning.

    Stay safe tonight

    Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. This warning explicitly covers Interstate 77 (mile markers 143 to 174) and Route 50 (mile markers 8 to 9) in West Virginia — if you are driving these corridors overnight, do not attempt flooded stretches; find high ground and wait. Never drive through flooded roadways, and be especially cautious at night when flood dangers are harder to recognize. If water enters the home: stay out of standing water where electricity may be present, avoid the basement until water recedes and power is confirmed off, photograph everything before cleanup (documentation matters for insurance), then call a local restoration contractor — water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day. Report flooding to the National Weather Service toll free at 800-401-9535, when you can do so safely.

    What this means for restoration teams

    An overnight flash flood warning over the Parkersburg corridor and the surrounding river counties is a water-mitigation setup: basement and first-floor intrusion, overwhelmed sump systems, and sewage backup in low-lying and poor-drainage areas. The Little Kanawha and Ohio River tributary creeks in Jackson, Wirt, and Wood counties respond fast to heavy rain, and Forked Run State Park in the warned area means commercial exposure too. Even at the low end of the rainfall totals here, flash flooding of small creeks and urban drainage is enough to push water into living spaces — this is the exact interior-flooding profile restoration teams see most.

    The play: stage extraction and drying equipment now and keep an on-call rotation through the morning. The demand window starts within hours of water receding and keeps coming for days as people discover damage. On the first call, capture the address, the water source (creek overflow vs. drainage vs. sump failure), and the affected areas — that triage line sets the crew and the protocol, especially where Category 3 sewage backup is possible.

    Field discipline: photo-document before mitigation; moisture-map every affected room; keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts. Mold risk within 24 to 48 hours — the drying plan is the job, not just the extraction.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or find a recovery center at fema.gov/drc. Basic eligibility: U.S. citizenship or qualified status, identity verification, proof of occupancy or ownership, and unmet needs not covered by insurance. Apply as soon as it’s safe to do so.

    Looking ahead

    This warning expires at 4:30 AM EDT Monday. Small creeks and streams can keep rising after the rain stops, and saturated ground means any additional overnight rain can renew flooding quickly. Watch for new warnings from NWS Charleston through the night. For restoration teams, the demand curve here runs for days: water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and continue as basements get inspected, flooring gets pulled, and odors surface later in the week.

    Sources & how to verify

    Verify for your own county or ZIP at weather.gov or the NWS Charleston office page above.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Bent, Kiowa, and Prowers Counties, CO Until 6:30 PM MDT

    Published: September 20, 2026, 4:47 PM PDT (5:47 PM MDT). The National Weather Service in Pueblo, Colorado, has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of southeastern Colorado — northwestern Prowers County, eastern Kiowa County, and northeastern Bent County — until 6:30 PM MDT tonight. The warned storm is packing golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts, with the NWS tagging the thunderstorm damage threat as CONSIDERABLE. This is the kind of storm that turns into roof, siding, and window claims by morning — and tornados can spin up quickly from storms like this one.

    This is a live snapshot as of 4:47 PM PDT. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Prowers County — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    Issuing office: NWS Pueblo, CO. Issued: 5:42 PM MDT, September 20, 2026. Expires: 6:30 PM MDT, September 20, 2026. Status: Active — certainty observed, urgency immediate, severity severe.

    Per the NWS alert, at 5:42 PM MDT a severe thunderstorm was located near Eads, or 26 miles southwest of Cheyenne Wells, moving south at 35 mph.

    • Hazard: golf ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.
    • Source: radar indicated.
    • Impact (verbatim from NWS): “People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.”

    Locations impacted include: Eads, Sheridan Lake, Neeoshe Reservoir, Sweetwater Reservoir, Chivington, Brandon, Neegronda Reservoir, and Queens Reservoir.

    NWS Pueblo office page — NWS alert source

    Kiowa County — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    The same warning covers eastern Kiowa County, including the Eads and Sheridan Lake area where the storm was located at issuance. Same hazard package: golf ball size hail, 60 mph gusts, radar-indicated source, CONSIDERABLE damage threat. Kiowa County sits squarely in the storm’s southward track — residents and businesses in Eads and Sheridan Lake are in the immediate path.

    Bent County — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    Northeastern Bent County is also included in this warning. The southward-moving storm at 35 mph puts the northeastern corner of Bent County — including the reservoir areas east of the county line (Neegronda and Queens Reservoirs are named impact locations) — in the window of impact through the 6:30 PM MDT expiry.

    A note from the NWS tornado guidance in this alert: tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms. The storm has a flagged “possible” tornado detection parameter. If you spot a tornado, go at once into the basement or a small central room in a sturdy structure.

    Stay safe — hail and wind

    • Get indoors now and stay there until the warning expires. Hail this size injures people and animals outdoors — that is NWS wording, not hype.
    • Vehicles: hail damage to vehicles is expected. If you’re driving, pull off the road under solid cover if you can do so safely; never stop under an overpass on a highway — it blocks traffic and is dangerous for everyone behind you.
    • Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. The NWS specifically flags that tornadoes can develop quickly from these storms, so treat the warning like a tornado drill: small central room, away from windows.
    • Stay out of flooded roadways if heavy rain follows the storm — turn around, don’t drown.
    • After the storm: stay away from downed power lines, watch for broken glass and scattered debris, and photograph any damage to your roof, siding, windows, and vehicles before you touch anything — documentation matters for insurance.

    What this means for restoration teams

    Golf ball size hail with a CONSIDERABLE damage-threat tag in a cluster of small southeastern Colorado towns is a classic roofing and exterior-repair demand spike. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, and windows — and with 60 mph gusts, expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees on top of it. Calls will start tonight and keep coming for days as homeowners discover leaks and cracked shingles in daylight.

    The play:

    • Stage now, not tomorrow. Pre-position roofing repair materials, tarps, and window-boarding supplies for Eads, Sheridan Lake, and the surrounding county areas tonight. Emergency tarping calls are the first wave.
    • Interior water follows roof damage. Hail-cracked shingles and wind-torn flashing let rain in — that means saturated drywall and insulation, and mold risk within 24–48 hours if wet materials aren’t dried. Treat every hail claim as a potential water-intrusion job.
    • Keep an on-call rotation through the morning. Tornado-possible tagging means tree-fall and structural damage can’t be ruled out — be ready for emergency board-up alongside the roofing work.
    • First-call capture: get the address, the damage source (hail, wind, or both), and which areas of the home are affected. Photo-document before mitigation, moisture-map every affected room, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    Demand window: hail claims typically report within hours of the storm and keep coming for a week as adjusters get scheduled. The restoration contractor who tarps tonight often wins the mitigation job later.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If damage is severe, the FEMA Helpline is 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or find a recovery center at fema.gov/drc. Basic eligibility: U.S. 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

    The warning expires at 6:30 PM MDT — but that is not the end of the story. Additional storms can redevelop along the same track this evening, and wind-tossed debris and weakened trees remain a hazard overnight. Watch for follow-up warnings from NWS Pueblo and check the Storm Prediction Center for updated outlooks. Water-intrusion calls tied to roof damage typically start within hours and continue for days as homeowners spot stains and leaks — contractors should expect the phone to keep ringing well past tonight.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP code: go to weather.gov, enter your ZIP, or check your local NWS office page for active alerts.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Dundy County, Nebraska Area Until 3:15 PM MDT

    The warning is live in northwestern Dundy County

    The National Weather Service in Goodland, Kansas has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northwestern Dundy County in southwestern Nebraska, effective from 2:28 PM MDT until 3:15 PM MDT on Sunday, September 20, 2026. This is not a garden-variety severe thunderstorm: the storm carries a CONSIDERABLE damage threat tag, with golf ball size hail and 70 mph wind gusts. This is the kind of storm that leaves a trail of battered roofs, shattered windows, and broken trees across the Sandhills edge of southwestern Nebraska — exactly the hail-and-wind work restoration and roofing crews see in the days that follow.

    This is a live snapshot as of roughly 2:35 PM MDT. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Northwestern Dundy County — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    • Issuing office: National Weather Service Goodland, Kansas (weather.gov/gld)
    • Issued: 2:28 PM MDT, Sunday, September 20, 2026
    • Expires: 3:15 PM MDT, Sunday, September 20, 2026
    • Storm location at 2:27 PM MDT: 9 miles south of Pleasant Valley, or 16 miles southeast of Holyoke, moving east at 30 mph

    Hazard detail, verbatim from the alert:

    • Hail: Golf ball size hail — 1.75 inches — radar indicated
    • Wind: 70 mph wind gusts — observed
    • Damage threat tag: CONSIDERABLE

    Expected impacts, verbatim from the alert: People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

    The storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Dundy County. Rural exposure does not mean low stakes here: farmsteads, outbuildings, grain bins, and pivot-irrigated ground take the hit first in storms like this, and isolated farm homes can be cut off from a fast damage survey after 70 mph gusts knock trees across roads.

    Source: NWS alert via api.weather.gov; AWIPS identifier SVRGLD, VTEC /O.NEW.KGLD.SV.W.0333.260920T2028Z-260920T2115Z/

    Stay safe this afternoon

    The NWS instruction for this warning is direct: for your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail and 70 mph winds can shatter windows — stay away from them, and never shelter in a vehicle, a mobile home, or an outbuilding during a storm tagged CONSIDERABLE. If you are caught outdoors in farm country, get inside the sturdiest structure available; if none is reachable, protect your head and get as low as possible away from trees and power lines. Do not try to outrun a fast-moving hailstorm on a county road — golf ball hail destroys windshields in seconds.

    What this means for restoration teams

    A CONSIDERABLE-tagged hailstorm with observed 70 mph gusts is a high-probability generator of the jobs restoration and roofing contractors live on:

    • Roof systems: golf ball hail bruises and fractures asphalt shingles, dents metal roofing, and cracks tile. Damage is often invisible from the ground — this is the classic adjuster-disputed claim, and contractors who photo-document first win it.
    • Siding and windows: the alert explicitly calls out siding and window damage. Vinyl siding shatters under 1.75-inch hail; broken windows let rain in behind the building envelope.
    • Vehicles: hail-dented vehicles across farmsteads and rural driveways — PDR (paintless dent repair) referrals and fleet work follow these storms.
    • Trees and outbuildings: “considerable tree damage” plus likely wind damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Downed limbs on structures are immediate mitigation calls; roof tarping demand spikes tonight.
    • Mold clock: any rain driven through broken windows or punctured roofing starts the 24–48 hour mold window. Saturated insulation and drywall from wind-driven rain need moisture mapping the same day.

    The play: stage tarping and board-up crews now, keep an on-call rotation through tonight, and when the calls come, capture address, water source, and affected areas on the first call. Photo-document before any mitigation — hail claims live and die on pre-repair evidence. Moisture-map every room where rain entered, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If the storm leaves your home uninhabitable or with damage beyond what insurance covers, federal help may be available once a disaster declaration follows: FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or find recovery centers at fema.gov/drc. Basic eligibility: U.S. 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

    The warning runs until 3:15 PM MDT. With the storm moving east at 30 mph, additional severe thunderstorms may ride the same boundary through the afternoon — watch for new warnings from NWS Goodland and NWS North Platte (a separate destructive hail warning is already active in adjacent Chase County, Nebraska). After the storm passes, the demand window opens: hail damage claims typically surface over the next several days as homeowners spot dented gutters, bruised shingles, and cracked windows, and restoration call volume follows the roofers’ inspections. Contractors should expect a second wave of calls 48–72 hours out as adjusters start scheduling.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP: enter it at weather.gov or check your local NWS office page for the latest warnings.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Dundy County, Nebraska Area Until 3:15 PM MDT

    The warning is live in northwestern Dundy County

    The National Weather Service in Goodland, Kansas has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for northwestern Dundy County in southwestern Nebraska, effective from 2:28 PM MDT until 3:15 PM MDT on Sunday, September 20, 2026. This is not a garden-variety severe thunderstorm: the storm carries a CONSIDERABLE damage threat tag, with golf ball size hail and 70 mph wind gusts. This is the kind of storm that leaves a trail of battered roofs, shattered windows, and broken trees across the Sandhills edge of southwestern Nebraska — exactly the hail-and-wind work restoration and roofing crews see in the days that follow.

    This is a live snapshot as of roughly 2:35 PM MDT. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Northwestern Dundy County — Severe Thunderstorm Warning

    • Issuing office: National Weather Service Goodland, Kansas (weather.gov/gld)
    • Issued: 2:28 PM MDT, Sunday, September 20, 2026
    • Expires: 3:15 PM MDT, Sunday, September 20, 2026
    • Storm location at 2:27 PM MDT: 9 miles south of Pleasant Valley, or 16 miles southeast of Holyoke, moving east at 30 mph

    Hazard detail, verbatim from the alert:

    • Hail: Golf ball size hail — 1.75 inches — radar indicated
    • Wind: 70 mph wind gusts — observed
    • Damage threat tag: CONSIDERABLE

    Expected impacts, verbatim from the alert: People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

    The storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northwestern Dundy County. Rural exposure does not mean low stakes here: farmsteads, outbuildings, grain bins, and pivot-irrigated ground take the hit first in storms like this, and isolated farm homes can be cut off from a fast damage survey after 70 mph gusts knock trees across roads.

    Source: NWS alert via api.weather.gov; AWIPS identifier SVRGLD, VTEC /O.NEW.KGLD.SV.W.0333.260920T2028Z-260920T2115Z/

    Stay safe this afternoon

    The NWS instruction for this warning is direct: for your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Large hail and 70 mph winds can shatter windows — stay away from them, and never shelter in a vehicle, a mobile home, or an outbuilding during a storm tagged CONSIDERABLE. If you are caught outdoors in farm country, get inside the sturdiest structure available; if none is reachable, protect your head and get as low as possible away from trees and power lines. Do not try to outrun a fast-moving hailstorm on a county road — golf ball hail destroys windshields in seconds.

    What this means for restoration teams

    A CONSIDERABLE-tagged hailstorm with observed 70 mph gusts is a high-probability generator of the jobs restoration and roofing contractors live on:

    • Roof systems: golf ball hail bruises and fractures asphalt shingles, dents metal roofing, and cracks tile. Damage is often invisible from the ground — this is the classic adjuster-disputed claim, and contractors who photo-document first win it.
    • Siding and windows: the alert explicitly calls out siding and window damage. Vinyl siding shatters under 1.75-inch hail; broken windows let rain in behind the building envelope.
    • Vehicles: hail-dented vehicles across farmsteads and rural driveways — PDR (paintless dent repair) referrals and fleet work follow these storms.
    • Trees and outbuildings: “considerable tree damage” plus likely wind damage to mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings. Downed limbs on structures are immediate mitigation calls; roof tarping demand spikes tonight.
    • Mold clock: any rain driven through broken windows or punctured roofing starts the 24–48 hour mold window. Saturated insulation and drywall from wind-driven rain need moisture mapping the same day.

    The play: stage tarping and board-up crews now, keep an on-call rotation through tonight, and when the calls come, capture address, water source, and affected areas on the first call. Photo-document before any mitigation — hail claims live and die on pre-repair evidence. Moisture-map every room where rain entered, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If the storm leaves your home uninhabitable or with damage beyond what insurance covers, federal help may be available once a disaster declaration follows: FEMA Helpline 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or find recovery centers at fema.gov/drc. Basic eligibility: U.S. 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

    The warning runs until 3:15 PM MDT. With the storm moving east at 30 mph, additional severe thunderstorms may ride the same boundary through the afternoon — watch for new warnings from NWS Goodland and NWS North Platte (a separate destructive hail warning is already active in adjacent Chase County, Nebraska). After the storm passes, the demand window opens: hail damage claims typically surface over the next several days as homeowners spot dented gutters, bruised shingles, and cracked windows, and restoration call volume follows the roofers’ inspections. Contractors should expect a second wave of calls 48–72 hours out as adjusters start scheduling.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP: enter it at weather.gov or check your local NWS office page for the latest warnings.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.

  • Flash Flood Warning: Athens, Meigs, and Vinton Area Until 5:15 AM EDT

    Live warning: A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for parts of southeastern Ohio — Athens, Meigs, and Vinton counties — until 5:15 AM EDT, issued by the National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia. Doppler radar shows thunderstorms producing heavy rain, with 1.5 to 2.5 inches already fallen and up to another inch possible. This is the exact interior-flooding scenario restoration teams see most: water pushing into basements, living spaces, and low-lying structures in the hours after the rain falls.

    This is a live snapshot as of 12:30 AM PDT (3:30 AM EDT). Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.

    Athens, Meigs, and Vinton Counties — Flash Flood Warning

    Issued by: NWS Charleston, West Virginia (https://www.weather.gov/rlx/)
    Issued: 3:29 AM EDT, September 20, 2026
    Expires: 5:15 AM EDT, September 20, 2026

    At 3:29 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen, and additional rainfall amounts of up to 1 inch are possible. The NWS classifies the source as radar indicated — the warning is based on observed radar rainfall, not a spotter report.

    Hazard: Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
    Expected impacts: Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

    Locations that will experience flash flooding include: McArthur, Albany, Zaleski, Carpenter, Radcliffe, and Creola.

    Source alert: NWS alert for Athens, Meigs, and Vinton Counties

    Stay safe tonight

    The NWS instruction is blunt and worth repeating: turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night — it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding in the dark.

    If water enters your home:

    • Stay out of standing water where electricity may be present.
    • Avoid the basement until water recedes and power is confirmed off.
    • Photograph everything before cleanup begins — documentation matters for insurance.
    • Call a local restoration contractor early. Water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day: saturated drywall and insulation become a mold problem within 24–48 hours.

    The NWS asks residents to report flooding by calling toll-free 800-401-9535 when it is safe to do so.

    What this means for restoration teams

    This is the signature southeastern-Ohio flash-flood pattern: radar-indicated storms dropping 1.5–2.5 inches in a short window over small creeks and streams, with urban flooding in poor-drainage and low-lying areas. For contractors serving Athens, Meigs, and Vinton counties, the damage categories to expect are:

    • Interior water intrusion — water pushing through foundation walls, basement windows, and walkout-level doors.
    • Saturated drywall and insulation in below-grade and ground-level rooms.
    • Mold risk within 24–48 hours wherever wet materials aren’t dried on the first visit.
    • Sewage backup in low-lying areas where storm systems overwhelm drainage.

    The play: stage equipment now and pre-position drying assets before the first calls land. Keep an on-call rotation through the morning — water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and keep coming for days as people discover damage. On the first call, capture the address, the water source (stormwater vs. creek vs. backup), and every affected area. Field discipline still decides the margin: photo-document before mitigation, moisture-map every affected room, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.

    FEMA & federal assistance

    If the flooding causes major damage, the FEMA Helpline is 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local, 7 days a week). You can also apply at DisasterAssistance.gov, through the FEMA app, or find recovery centers at fema.gov/drc. Basic eligibility requires 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 5:15 AM EDT, the rain risk doesn’t end with it. Watch for additional rounds of storms overnight and rivers and creeks cresting later in the morning — flash-flood rain upstream keeps small waterways high for hours. The next NWS update will arrive as conditions change or the warning is extended; check the Charleston office page for the latest.

    The demand window for contractors runs well past sunrise: calls start as water recedes and continue for days as homeowners find soggy carpet, wicking drywall, and musty basements. Crews that are staged by 6 AM will be the first ones booked.

    Sources & how to verify

    To verify for your own county or ZIP code, check weather.gov or your local NWS office page — warnings are issued per event and can be extended or canceled without notice.

    This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.