The National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia has issued a Flood Warning covering 20 counties across southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia, effective from 5:37 AM until 8:00 AM EDT on September 13. A Flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or is imminent – this is more serious than a Flood Watch, which only means conditions are favorable for flooding.
Communities under the warning include Athens, Meigs, Washington, and Gallia counties in Ohio, and Pleasants, Wood, Mason, Doddridge, Gilmer, and Lewis counties in West Virginia, along with roughly ten additional areas in the region. This stretch of the Ohio River valley and its tributaries is prone to rapid rises on small streams and creeks after heavy rain, and low-lying roads can go under water quickly.
Residents in the warned counties may notice water over roadways, swollen creeks and streams, ponding in low-lying areas and underpasses, and possibly water approaching homes near waterways. The most dangerous hours are typically before and around dawn, when flooded roads are hardest to see – and that is exactly the window this warning covers.
What to do right now
If you are in a warned county, avoid driving through any water covering a road – even a few inches of moving water can stall a vehicle, and a foot or more can sweep one away. Turn around and find another route. If you live near a creek, stream, or in a known flood-prone spot, be ready to move to higher ground quickly, and keep a phone charged and a flashlight handy. Do not walk through floodwater, which can hide debris, open drains, or contamination.
The warning currently runs until 8:00 AM EDT, but the NWS may extend it if water levels remain high, so continue monitoring local alerts through the morning. Conditions should gradually improve as runoff drains into larger rivers, though some smaller streams may stay elevated for several hours after the rain ends.
This alert is based on data from the National Weather Service (NOAA), issued by the NWS office in Charleston, West Virginia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in one of these counties?
Stay off flooded roads and never drive or walk through moving water. If you live near a creek or low-lying area, be prepared to move to higher ground and keep your phone charged for updated alerts.
How long will this flooding last?
The current warning runs until 8:00 AM EDT on September 13, but the NWS can extend it if streams and roads remain flooded. Water on small creeks often recedes within hours, while larger rivers may stay high longer.
Is a Flood Warning the same as a Flood Watch?
No. A watch means flooding is possible; a warning means flooding is happening now or about to happen. A warning calls for immediate caution, especially on roads.
Which communities are affected?
The warning covers 20 counties, including Athens, Meigs, Washington, and Gallia in Ohio, and Wood, Pleasants, Mason, Doddridge, Gilmer, and Lewis in West Virginia, plus additional nearby areas.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waxing Crescent (5% illuminated), in Libra.
Notable planetary angles: Moon sextile Jupiter (60°), Sun sextile Mars (59°), Moon opposite Saturn (177°), Jupiter trine Saturn (123°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 2.0; 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.
