Multiple waves of low pressure passing along a cold front approaching from near the Ohio River resulted in several rounds of prolonged and, at times, heavy rain across northern and western portions of Greenbrier County.  In the 72-hour period ending 7 am on March 1st, the northwestern half of the county had received between 2.5 to locally 4 inches of rainfall from shower and thunderstorm activity. Snow pack prior to the arrival of the rainfall was confined to the highest elevations of the western half of the county, where 2 to locally 4 inches was on the ground.  Portions of Pocahontas County to the north, where the upstream reaches of the Greenbrier River are located, had up to 9 inches of snow pack.  Nearly all remaining snow in both counties melted with this rainfall, contributing to the runoff entering the local rivers by the morning of the 1st, when widespread minor to moderate river flooding occurred.  On March 3rd, Gov. Jim Justice included Greenbrier County among eighteen total West Virginia counties in a declared State of Emergency due of the flood damage.  Heavy rain moved south during the early hours of the 1st, impacting Mercer County with more localized flooding that caused a road closure.

Heavy Rain in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-21 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ORIENT HILL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Rupert 4N observed a 24-hour rainfall total, ending 12Z (7 am EST) on March 1st, of 2.30 inches.  The 72-hour, storm total rainfall amount, also ending 12Z (7 am EST) on March 1st, was 3.35 inches.

Flood in MERCER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 07:00:00 to 01-MAR-21 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRINCETON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Heavy rain caused ponding of water along Ingleside Road, closing the road until the water receded.

Heavy Rain in MERCER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-21 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LILLY GROVE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A local mesonet weather station (KWVPRINC17) recorded 1.02 inches of rain between 9 pm on February 28th and 8 am on March 1st.  The 72-hour storm total rainfall amount for this station, ending 8 am on the 1st, was 2.69 inches.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 09:15:00 to 02-MAR-21 05:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALDERSON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 18.56K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Greenbrier River at Alderson (ALDV2) crested at the moderate flood stage of 17.53 feet (52,600 cfs) at 8:15 pm EST on March 1st.  This crest ranked between a 5- and 10-year average return interval per USGS StreamStats, and is the 11th highest crest for this gauge since 1960. Flooding within this stretch of the Greenbrier River caused Highway 3/12 to be covered by several feet of water and impassible at multiple locations downstream from the gauge between Alderson and Talcott.  It did not appear much flooding occurred within the town of Alderson itself and no buildings were reported to be impacted.  All damage was confined to the professional removal of fallen trees blocking stream channels within the area and other related repairs.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 07:23:00 to 02-MAR-21 01:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: RONCEVERTE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The Greenbrier River at Ronceverte (RONW2) crested at a stage of 18.43 feet at 5:05 pm EST, resulting in extensive flooding of Island Park in the community of Ronceverte.  The floor of the concession stand at the park was destroyed. Repairs were also necessary to a railing at the community amphitheater, and several loads of gravel and dirt were needed to fill a hole next to the amphitheater formed by the flooding.  Flood waters over the park rose to within inches of entering the lowest level of homes along Monroe Avenue upstream of the gauge (would be around 19.0 ft), though there were no reports of water entering any homes.  Water covered the roads and entered the yards of homes downstream of the park on both Monroe Avenue (right bank) and River Road (left bank), but no damage was reported in these locations either.  There is no defined level for moderate flood stage at this gauge, so somewhere between 19.0 feet and 21.0 would seem appropriate.  There is no rating curve developed for this gauge at this time, and no defined ARI for flooding of this magnitude.

Flood in SUMMERS, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 17:30:00 to 02-MAR-21 06:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: HILLDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The Greenbrier River at Hilldale (HLLW2) crested at the minor flood stage of 21.38 feet (56,200 cfs) at 1:00 am EST on March 2nd. This crest ranked just under a 10-year average return interval per USGS StreamStats, and is the 9th highest crest for this gauge since 1936. Portions of Highway 12 were observed flooded within a quarter mile upstream from the gauge.  Multiple homes along the right bank just downstream of the gauge were surrounded by water, but are elevated/on stilts.  Flooded was limited to areas below the living space of these homes.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 03:55:00 to 02-MAR-21 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARMCO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The Meadow River near Hines (HNEW2) crested at the moderate flood stage of 16.69 feet (52,600 cfs) at 3:25 pm EST on March 1st.  Highway 60 was flooded by multiple feet of water and impassible in several spots between the communities of Rupert and Rainelle, leaving mud and debris which required cleaning reopen the road.  Multiple homes along the river between these points were observed surrounded by flood waters, but it is unknown to what degree, if any, that water entered the homes.  This gauge does not currently have a rating curve.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-21 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MEADOW BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Otter Creek was observed rising out of its banks after several hours of prolonged rainfall, resulting in flooding across Miller Road.  The road reopened once the flood waters receded, with no reports of damage.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 08:40:00 to 01-MAR-21 18:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST RAINELLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Local Official

Sewell Creek above Little Sewell Creek at Rainelle (RANW2) crested at the moderate flood stage of 14.58 feet at 12:15 pm EST on March 1st. The mayor of Rainelle reported that there was little damage caused by the flooding, with some side streets off of Horton Avenue and adjacent properties covered with water.  Kanawha Avenue was also closed due to flooding for a short time.  The Rainelle City Park was covered with several inches of water from Sewell Creek.  The mayor reported that there was little damage and that any city expenses would be related to cleanup of debris.  No evacuations were necessary.  The gauge was installed during September 2019, so has a short operational history.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 01-MAR-21 00:00:00 to 01-MAR-21 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Runoff from heavy rainfall caused Lick Hollow Creek to rise out of its banks and flood across Slab Camp Road. Portions of the road were damaged by the flooding and required repairs.