UPDATE: Steady Rains Still Having Effect In Marshall County
Derek Redd Trending
As the rain continued to fall Tuesday morning in the Ohio Valley, Marshall County Emergency Management Director Tom Hart continued to keep an eye on local creeks for flooding concerns.
Rain on Monday sent creek water onto the roads, closing some temporarily. Big Grave Creek, Middle Grave Creek, Little Grave Creek and Woodruff roads all saw water on their surfaces Monday. Tuesday’s weather conditions haven’t improved matters.
“Creeks are still running high and swift,” Hart said. “The ground is very saturated. There’s still a lot of runoff from the hillsides.”
Much of the Ohio Valley — from Wheeling north in the Northern Panhandle and as far west as Newcastle and far north as Minerva in Ohio — is under a flood warning until 10:45 a.m. A flood watch stretching from western Pennsylvania to eastern Ohio will remain in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Hart said West Virginia EMA directors will be in weather briefings this morning with the National Weather Service and West Virginia Emergency Management.
Original story
MOUNDSVILLE -- Several roads in Marshall County were temporarily closed Monday, as overflowing creeks spread water and debris to make some areas impassible. Concern remained, though, as more rain was in the forecast between Monday night and this morning.
Tom Hart, director of the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency, said rainfall amounts reached up to three inches in some areas of the county Sunday night, causing creeks in the county to run over their banks. Big Grave Creek, Middle Grave Creek, Little Grave Creek and Woodruff roads all saw water on their surfaces.
"It's already started to recede," Hart said Monday of the creeks and streams. "There's been a few places with small mudslides and rocks coming down a few places."
Hart said his biggest concern was the anticipated additional rain expected to fall between Monday night and this morning. The National Weather Service has an areal flood watch in effect for the region until 8 p.m. today.
"The ground is already saturated. The creeks and streams will still be running high and run the risk of more flooding," he said.
Hart reminded residents to "remain vigilant" and keep an eye on roadways and streams. He added that people should not try to drive through water-covered roadways.
Outside of creeks, areas that often flood during heavy rains, like Marshall Street in McMechen, saw water on the roadways Monday.
Lou Vargo, director of the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, said Monday there have been no reports of flooded roadways in Ohio County. He said the EMA would continue to monitor the creeks, streams and Ohio River through today.
"The river is predicted to barely reach action stage. We will constantly watch river predictions tonight and tomorrow," he said.
Vargo said he had not received any reports of mudslides in the county.
Meanwhile, there were reports of flooding in Belmont County with water covering portions of Ohio 148 near Powhatan. Pipe Creek Road near Jacobsburg also was flooded.
"Rainfall amounts in Belmont County as of midnight: Somerton 1.43 inches, Powhatan Point 1.29 inches, Shadyside 1.23 inches, Barnesville 1.23 inches and Colerain 1.20 inches. If you come to a flooded road, please turn around," the EMA noted.
Some streams were running high in Monroe County, but had not exceeded their banks as of Monday.