The National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia has issued a Flood Warning covering 56 areas across southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia. The warning was issued at 7:31 PM EDT on September 21 and remains in effect until 11:00 PM EDT tonight.
Among the affected counties are Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Washington, Vinton, and Jackson in Ohio, and Jackson, Mason, Wood, and Ritchie in West Virginia, along with 46 additional areas. A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent – this is a step beyond a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable.
What You Might Notice
Residents in the warned areas may see water rising over roads, especially along small streams, creeks, and low-lying spots that flood routinely. Poor-drainage areas, underpasses, and basements are the most common trouble spots. Creeks can rise quickly after heavy rain, sometimes within an hour.
If you live in or are traveling through the warned counties this evening, treat any water-covered road as impassable. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and a foot of water can carry away a small car. Most flood deaths happen in vehicles.
Practical steps for tonight:
1. Avoid driving through flooded roads – turn around and find another route, even if the water looks shallow.
2. If you live near a creek or in a known flood-prone spot, move valuables off basement floors and be ready to move to higher ground.
3. Keep a phone charged and a flashlight handy, and monitor local NWS updates in case the warning is extended or upgraded.
The warning is set to expire at 11:00 PM EDT, but it could be extended if rain continues or waterways keep rising. Data for this alert comes from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Charleston, West Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of the warned counties?
Stay off flooded roads and avoid driving unless necessary until the warning expires at 11:00 PM EDT. If you live near a stream or low-lying area, be prepared to move to higher ground quickly.
How long will this flood warning last?
The warning is currently in effect until 11:00 PM EDT on September 21, but the NWS may extend it if heavy rain continues or streams keep rising.
Is it safe to drive through water on the road if it looks shallow?
No – it is impossible to judge water depth or road condition underneath from a vehicle. Turn around and use an alternate route; most flood fatalities involve vehicles.
Which areas are covered by this warning?
The warning covers 56 areas across southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia, including Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Washington, Vinton, and Jackson counties in Ohio and Jackson, Mason, Wood, and Ritchie counties in West Virginia.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (72% illuminated), in Capricorn.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury sextile Jupiter (59°), Moon opposite Mars (179°), Sun sextile Mars (62°), Sun trine Moon (116°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 0.0; 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.
