Rowlesburg flooding could be worst in 25 years | WV News | wvnews.com
From an Article by Joseph Hauger, Preston News & Journal, February 28, 2021
ROWLESBURG — A Cheat River community is expected to receive some of the worst flooding in 25 years, according to the National Weather Service.
Flood warnings remain in place for Preston County towns along the river, as well as those in higher elevations, where overflow from creeks and drains may cover roads and enter buildings.
Current projections place the crest of the river in Rowlesburg at 22.3 feet at 7 p.m. Monday. The Cheat is expected to reach the flood stage of 16 feet at around midnight Sunday, if the forecast holds true.
That crest would place Rowlesburg into the “major” flood category — which hasn’t been experienced by the town since Jan. 19, 1996, when the river reached 24.2 feet. The water will be nowhere near the devastating flood of Nov. 5, 1985, when the river at 36.9 feet crashed through the town.
The last time Rowlesburg officially flooded was July 29, 2017, which was the sixth-worst for the town at 19.75 feet.
One-to-three inches of rain is expected through Monday morning, adding to the runoff from the rapidly melting snow upriver.
At about 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the Cheat had reached 12 feet, up from 7 feet at 5:30 a.m., and from 5 feet at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to the NWS:
— At 16 feet, flooding begins in the Rowlesburg town park.
— At 18 feet, W.Va. 72 is closed at the north end of Rowlesburg, and water surrounds houses near the park.
— At 20 feet, Water flows under houses in low-lying areas, and will affect homes along Poplar, Elm, Catherine, Diamond, Church, Buffalo and Main streets. Nearly three feet of water will cover ball fields at the park.
— At 22 feet, W.Va. 72 (Buffalo Street) is closed near Feltys Hill at the south end of town. Water approaches the intersection of Maple Street and County Route 80/8 at the east end of the Maple Avenue Bridge.
Downriver in Albright, which also has suffered from Cheat River flooding through the decades, no flooding predictions are available. However, the community is part of the NWS flood warning in place.
Flood stage in Albright is 27 feet, and at 4 p.m. Sunday, the Cheat was at 19 feet, rising from 15 feet at 4 a.m. Sunday and from 14.5 feet at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.
Towns have been proactive and reactive in the wake of the flood warning. The kitchen building at the Rowlesburg park has been hit several times, even when flooding is minor. It has been readied for another round of river water reaching its doors. Meanwhile, the Shop ‘n Save in Terra Alta was closed due to flooding Sunday afternoon while firefighters helped to remove water from the building and worked to channel water away from W.Va. 7.
On Saturday, Gov. Jim Justice declared a State of Preparedness in advance of potential flooding in 50 counties — everywhere but the Northern Panhandle.
The declaration allows for the mobilization of resources to assist with preparation for any potential flooding or other storm-related damage.
Additionally, Justice has activated the state Emergency Operations Center, and has instructed all state agencies to exercise their appropriate authorities.
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