photo by: Emma Delk

A portion of Marshall Street in McMechen was closed on Sunday due to storm drain backups causing water accumulation on the road.

WHEELING — Sunday rainfall totaling about an inch led the National Weather Service to issue flood warnings for Marshall and Ohio County in West Virginia as well as Belmont, Jefferson, Monroe and Brooke County in Ohio.

The advisory lasted from approximately 11 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo explained that runoff from streams and creeks was the main cause of the warning.

According to the NWS, the flooding impacted rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Locations that experienced flooding included Wheeling, Moundsville, Martins Ferry, St. Clairsville, Bellaire, Warwood, Bethlehem, West Liberty, Triadelphia, Clearview, Valley Grove, Shadyside, McMechen, Powhatan Point, Glen Dale, Tiltonsville, Cameron, Bridgeport, Benwood and Yorkville.

The flood warning lasted until 2:15 p.m. when the NWS predicted the weather front would pass. Ohio County EMS was still monitoring the roads “throughout the afternoon and evening” once the advisory ended, Vargo said Sunday.

By Sunday night, the Ohio River had crept onto the lower levels of downtown Wheeling’s Heritage Port. According to the NWS, as of 11 p.m. Sunday, the river was observed reaching 28¼ feet and was predicted to reach 31½ feet by Tuesday.

Since the rainfall was spread throughout Ohio County, outlined Vargo, no major road closures had to occur in the area. He added that drivers should stay cautious on roads that have water flowing across them due to runoff from streams and creeks.

Marshall County EMS Director Tom Hart said his organization was monitoring “a few areas” on Middle Grave Creek Road in Moundsville where water has accumulated on the roadway. He added that Fish Creek in Moundsville was “still in its bank” but nearing the roadway on Sunday.

Marshall County EMS also was monitoring areas of Little Grave Creek in Glen Dale and Big Grave Greek in Moundsville where water is running “high and swift” near the roadways, said Hart.

“Several areas” across Marshall County also had water accumulation on roadways due to the heavy rain, which caused storm drains to become backed up, outlined Hart. He noted locations on WV 2 and “several of the other county routes” had water on the roadway due to storm drains and culverts “becoming overwhelmed.”

“We are still keeping an eye on things as the day progresses into the evening,” Hart added on Sunday.

While Sunday was the worst day for water accumulation on the roads, according to Hart, Marshall County EMS are still keeping an eye on river water levels until Tuesday. Hart explained Marshall County EMS is “in conversation” with the NWS Pittsburgh’s office to monitor the projected river forecast for the next couple of days.

“The rivers are supposed to stay under flood states, but we’re keeping an eye on that,” he added. “The rivers are supposed to crest Tuesday at about 5½ feet below flood stage.”

Another concern Marshall County EMS has due to the rainfall is rock slides and trees falling down due to the soil becoming saturated with water.

“The cold front is supposed to move through today into this evening, so hopefully we’ll transition out of this rainy weather,” Hart noted on Sunday.

On protective measures residents should take, Vargo advises drivers to “just be careful out there.” He explained residents should never try to drive or walk through “any type of water flowing across a roadway.”

“If rain comes, we always say turn around, don’t drown,” Vargo added. According to the NWS, most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Hart added that “you don’t really know the depth of water or if there’s debris in there,” and advises those who live near a creek or stream should “keep an eye out.”

Vargo encourages anyone who sees flooding occurring where roads are closed to call 911 and get the information to dispatchers.

“When flooding happens on roads, we need to get first responders out there to check,” explained Vargo. “Then we work with the WV Department of Highways to get those roads closed until the water subsides.”