Life-threatening flooding in West Virginia sends Huntington residents scrambling for higher ground
The National Weather Service office in Charleston said between 2 and 3 inches of rain has fallen across portions of the region, and emergency officials are reporting numerous high-water rescues in Huntington
Life-threatening flood threat continues in West Virginia
A rare Flash Flood Emergency was issued for portions of West Virginia early Thursday morning as thunderstorms and torrential rain barreled across the region. Officials in several communities have told residents to seek higher ground as water continues to rise. FOX Weather Meteorologists Britta Merwin and Craig Herrera have the latest.
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – A dangerous and life-threatening situation is unfolding in portions of West Virginia as officials urge residents in many communities to seek higher ground immediately after forecasters issued a rare Flash Flood Emergency early Thursday morning.
This is a rapidly developing situation, but forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia, issued the Flash Flood Emergency for the Huntington area after several inches of rain fell in a short period of time.
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As of Thursday morning, between 2 and 3 inches of rain has already fallen, and another half-inch to an inch of rain is expected.
There have been several reports of high-water rescues in the Huntington area, and several rockslides have also been reported across the region.
"Move to higher ground now," the NWS warned. "This is an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation. Do not attempt to travel unless you are fleeing an area subject to flooding or under an evacuation order."
Flash flooding is already occurring, but the NWS said communities that will experience additional flooding include Huntington, Chesapeake, Barboursville and Pea Ridge.
"This includes Interstate 64 in West Virginia between mile markers 7 and 7, and between mile markers 15 and 17," the NWS said.
This graphic shows the Tornado Watch in Kentucky on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025.
(FOX Weather)
Severe weather and thunderstorms have been sweeping across the region, and the threat is expected to continue through at least the rest of Thursday morning.
Forecasters issued a Tornado Watch for a large portion of Kentucky until 11 a.m. ET.
The Tornado Watch includes more than 1 million people in cities like Richmond, Bowling Green, Monticello and London.
Watch: Sirens wail during Tornado Warning in Kentucky
A video shared from Bonnieville, Kentucky, shows sirens sounding during a Tornado Warning on Thursday morning.
A video shared from Bonnieville, Kentucky, showed sirens wailing during a Tornado Warning on Thursday morning.
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