A mesoscale convection system rode east and northeast out of Kentucky during Christmas morning.  Support for the rain was aided by a stalled out front in southern West Virginia, just south of Charleston, on into southeast Kentucky.  Abundant moisture was available. Dew points were near 60 degrees south of the front.
A band of moderate to heavy rain reached Huntington near 1000E. Meanwhile, new cells developed eastward into the Charleston vicinity at the same time. This enhanced rain lifted northeast along the Elk River and Interstate 79 corridor through northern Clay County and into southern Braxton County by midday.  The heavier rain finally weakened in the central mountain counties during the mid afternoon.
Rainfall of 1.5 to 2 inches was common along a narrow corridor in about 4 hours.  A few reports exceeded 2 inches.  A spotter in western Putnam County along the Charley Creek drainage measured 2.7 inches. Laurel Ridge in Clay County had 2.24 inches.  Queen Shoals and Big Chimney measured around 2.1 inches. Charleston's Yeager Airport had 1.94 inches of rain.  A spotter in South Charleston and the East End of Charleston both had 1.8 inches, while 1.7 inches fell at the National Weather Service Office at Southridge. Amounts around 1.8 inches were also measured by automatic gauges at Dingy, west of Frametown and at Bug Ridge, southeast of Sutton.
The maximum 24 hour rain amounts from cooperative observer sites included 2.53 inches at Sutton, 2.37 inches at Saint Albans, and 2.25 inches at Gassaway.
The usual vulnerable poor drainage areas and streams overflowed and blocked roads. A few homes were flooded, others had basement flooding. Problems were compounded in urban areas and land disturbed by development.  A few landslides occurred where cuts were made in hillsides for roads.
In the aftermath, a strong rise occurred on the lower Elk River, but the crest remained below flood stages.

Flash Flood in WAYNE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 12:10:00 to 25-DEC-15 16:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: STILTNER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Streams caused minor flooding of roads, including Big Lynn Creek.

Flash Flood in PUTNAM, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 12:15:00 to 25-DEC-15 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: HURRICANE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous streams in the southern portion of the county flooded roads and surrounded homes.  Some of the streams included Charley Creek, Syracmore Creek, Trace Fork, and Lick Creek. Water got into a few homes along Charley Creek. Poplar Fork flooded south of Scott Depot. Bills Creek flooded northeast of Scott Depot with at least 1 vehicle flooded.

Flash Flood in LINCOLN, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 12:45:00 to 25-DEC-15 16:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHERIDAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Streams from the West Hamlin to Yawkey area on north flooded roads.  This included Straight Fork between Griffithsville and Yawkey.

Flash Flood in CLAY, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-15 19:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Numerous streams flooded and blocked roads.  This included Big Otter Creek blocking Route 16 and Laurel Fork flooding a portion of Route 4.

Flash Flood in BRAXTON, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 14:30:00 to 25-DEC-15 20:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: STRANGE CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Numerous small streams flooded roads around Strange Creek, Gassaway, Frametown, and Sutton.  One example was Little Otter Creek near Gassaway.  The headwaters of the Right Fork of Steer Creek flooded, including Joes Fork.

Flash Flood in ROANE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 13:00:00 to 25-DEC-15 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PIGEON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Streams in the extreme southern portion of the county flooded roads.  The headwaters of the Big Sandy Creek were involved.  This included the Middle Fork and Route 36 near Newton.  At least one modular home was flooded in Newton. This modular home was situated in an area local residents said floods about twice a year.  Apparently, the new owners were not aware of that. The family of 4 had left to visit relatives that morning, and most of their Christmas gifts were damaged.  Little Left Hand Run also flooded roads.  A landslide occurred along Interstate 79 near Amma where the hillside was cut away during the construction of that interstate.

Flash Flood in CALHOUN, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 14:30:00 to 25-DEC-15 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OKA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Feeder streams and runs into the headwaters of the West Fork of the Little Kanawha River flooded roads in the extreme southern part of the county.

Flash Flood in KANAWHA, WEST VIRGINIA
From 25-DEC-15 11:45:00 to 25-DEC-15 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: TORNADO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 450.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Poor drainage and stream flash flooding were common from the Saint Albans and Cross Lanes vicinity on east and northeast, through the north side of Charleston and into the Big Chimney and Clendenin vicinity.
In Saint Albans, water was over Stone Drive and Poplar Lane.  Washington Avenue and Spring Street in Saint Albans had water pond and seep into garages. The headwaters of Rocky Fork flooded New Goff Mountain and Big Tyler Roads with water getting into a few homes.  Flooding also occurred along Howard Fork and Route 62 in the vicinity of Cross Lanes. Woodward Branch flooded the intersection of Washington Street and Woodward Drive in Charleston. Lick Branch surrounded 3 homes near the lower end of South Ruffner Road in Charleston. Elk Two Mile flooded Rutledge Road off of Route 114.  Coopers Creek flooded roads in the Big Chimney area.
Yet, the most serious flash flooding was along Kanawha Two Mile in the Guthrie area.  In the headwaters, 12 people were evacuated from 6 homes along Lotus Drive.  The Rich Oil convenience store was flooded again along Route 21.  Falcon Drive was also affected. A few vehicles were flooded.
After damage assessment, a total of 17 homes had major damage in the county, with the highest concentration along Kanawha Two Mile.  Other homes had less damage including water seeping into their basements. Small road slippages occurred in the aftermath of this heavy rain.  One example was along Wills Creek Road in the Elkview area.