Well south of a frontal boundary, a moist and unstable air mass resided over the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians.   The ground was already wetter than normal from previous rains.  A southwest and west wind along with daytime heating formed showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon of the 20th.   Overnight, more storms formed along a leftover east to west boundary.  That allowed for repetitive showers from portions of northeast Kentucky into extreme southern Ohio and western West Virginia.
After some severe thunderstorms during the afternoon, water issues were the main concern overnight.  The main period of rain was from mid afternoon on the 20th into the predawn hours of the 21st.  Rain amounts of 3 to 4 inches were common in parts of Wayne, Cabell, Lincoln, Putnam, and Kanawha Counties.  The city of Wayne measured 3.84 inches of rain in the 24 hours ending at dawn on the 21st, with 1.75 inches falling in 2 hours.   Pea Ridge and Saint Albans both measured around 3.5 inches.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 21:30:00 to 20-JUL-10 21:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARLESTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down, some fell onto power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 14:30:00 to 20-JUL-10 14:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: RUTH
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Several large tree branches were blown down near the National Weather Service radar site.

Flash Flood in NICHOLAS, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 15:40:00 to 20-JUL-10 16:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: GILBOA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 30.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

The headwaters of Peters Creeks flooded portions of Route 39.  Water got around about a dozen homes.  Private bridges were damaged.

Flash Flood in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 21:30:00 to 21-JUL-10 03:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: NITRO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A few residences in Saint Albans and near Tornado received water in their homes.  Street and underpass flooding was common.  A water rescue was needed in the Rock Lake Drive underpass.

Flash Flood in CABELL, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 21:15:00 to 20-JUL-10 23:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: HUNTINGTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Minor street and stream flooding occurred.  Several roads were closed with 1 to 2 feet of water covering them.  Flooding to dwellings was limited to runoff or sweepage into basements.

Flash Flood in WAYNE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 21:30:00 to 21-JUL-10 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: KOMOVA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Streams such as Miller Fork, Wilson Creek, Toms Creek, and White Creek flooded roads.  Water got around some mobile homes leaving debris next to their underpinnings.   About a half dozen private culverts under driveways were damaged.   Residental gas meters were damaged by high water.  Street flooding in Kenova caused vehicles to stall.  There was at least one water rescue.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 14:30:00 to 20-JUL-10 14:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARLESTON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Trees fell onto power lines within the city.

Thunderstorm Wind in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 20-JUL-10 21:20:00 to 20-JUL-10 21:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: ST ALBANS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Several trees were blown down in the downtown area.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, WEST VIRGINIA
From 21-JUL-10 00:00:00 to 21-JUL-10 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALKOL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Left Fork of the Mud River flooded Bulger Road and the local fire station.