The National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia has issued a Flash Flood Warning covering four communities along the Virginia–West Virginia border: Buchanan and Dickenson counties in Virginia, and McDowell and Wyoming counties in West Virginia. The warning was issued at 3:52 PM EDT on September 21 and remains in effect until 6:45 PM EDT.
A Flash Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent — this is not a watch or a possibility, but an active situation. Heavy rain falling on steep terrain in this part of Appalachia can send water rising quickly in small streams, hollows, and low-lying roads, sometimes within minutes.
What readers might notice
Residents in the affected counties may see rapidly rising creeks and streams, water covering roadways, mud or debris on roads, and poor drainage flooding in low spots. Mountain roads in this region are especially prone to washouts and rockslides during heavy rain. If you are driving, you may encounter water across the road even in places that normally stay dry.
Sensible steps right now:
1) Never drive or walk through flooded roadways — it takes only about a foot of moving water to carry away a vehicle. Turn around, don’t drown. 2) If you live near a stream, creek, or in a low-lying area, be ready to move to higher ground quickly if water begins to rise. 3) Keep your phone charged and alerts enabled through the warning’s 6:45 PM expiration, and check on neighbors or family members who may need help relocating.
This warning may be extended or additional warnings issued if heavy rain continues in the region, so stay tuned to local forecasts this evening.
Data for this alert comes from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Charleston, WV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this warning serious?
Yes — a Flash Flood Warning means flooding is happening now or about to happen in Buchanan and Dickenson counties (VA) and McDowell and Wyoming counties (WV). This is the highest level of short-term flood alert the NWS issues.
What should I do right now?
Avoid driving through any water-covered roads, stay away from creeks and streams, and move to higher ground if water rises near your home. Keep weather alerts enabled on your phone until the warning expires at 6:45 PM EDT.
How long will this last?
The current warning runs until 6:45 PM EDT on September 21, but it could be extended or new warnings issued if heavy rain continues. Flash flooding can linger in streams and low areas even after rain stops.
Why is flash flooding so dangerous in this area?
The steep terrain of southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia channels heavy rain quickly into narrow valleys and hollows, causing streams to rise within minutes with little warning.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (77% illuminated), in Aquarius.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury sextile Jupiter (60°), Sun sextile Mars (63°), Sun trine Moon (123°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 0.3; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
