Prolonged rainfall over a 24- to 25-hour period ended around 8 AM EST on February 17th, which resulted in localized minor river flooding across portions of southeast West Virginia (SEWV).  Unusual warmth during most of the river meant no frozen ground, snow cover or river ice in the area.  However, MRMS CREST indicated that the ground was still 50 to 75 percent saturated from widespread rainfall during the 12th and 13th, just a few days prior.  On the morning of the 16th, SEWV was located on the south side of a stationary front draped near the Ohio River.  Strong southwesterly windflow carried deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico across the area, with precipitable water values (PWATs) in excess of 1.0 inch through much of the day on the 16th.  PWATs would increase to around 1.2 inches by sunrise of the 17th, just as a supporting upper level trough began to push across the Appalachian chain.  Rainfall rates were generally under a quarter inch per hour on the 16th, but began to increase during the overnight hours as the trough approached, in some instances exceeding an inch per hour for brief periods of time as a few thunderstorms developed, supported by Most-Unstable Layer CAPE values increasing to over 1,000 J/Kg ahead of the approaching trough.  Total rainfall amounts through the event ranged from 2.25 to locally 3.50 inches, resulting in minor river flooding along the Greenbrier, Bluestone and Meadow Rivers, as well as Anthony Creek.  Other smaller tributaries experienced minor flooding as well.  No flash flooding occurred.  Reported impacts were limited to flooded roads with little to no damage.

Heavy Rain in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 07:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: RAINELLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KWVRAINE18) recorded 2.52 inches of rainfall during at 25 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 0.5 inch per hour. This amount was between a 5-year and a 10-year event (20%-10% AEP) per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates. Runoff from this location flows into Sewell Creek.

Heavy Rain in MERCER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 07:30:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLIPPING CREEK JCT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KWVBLUEF24) recorded 2.39 inches of rainfall during a little more than 24 hours ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 0.5 inch per hour. This amount was about a 2-year event (50%-10% AEP) per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates. Runoff from this location flows into the Bluestone River.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 07:30:00 to 17-FEB-23 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WHITE SULPHUR SPGS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Brad Paisley community park was flooded up to the foundation of a pavilion there from water rising out of Wades Creek.  The park is located at the confluence of Wades Creek and Howard Creek.  No damage to the park was reported.

Flood in MONROE, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 16:15:00 to 18-FEB-23 00:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOLF CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Greenbrier River at Alderson, WV crested at 14.69 feet (flood stage is 14 feet). This flooding is between a 2- and a 5-year average recurrence interval for this location.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 06:30:00 to 17-FEB-23 10:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: EAST RAINELLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

The James River and Kanawha Turnpike was closed due to flooding of small creeks between the communities of Rainelle and Meadow Bluff.  The road was reopened after flooding receded, with no damage reported.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 21:00:00 to 18-FEB-23 04:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHARMCO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Meadow River at Hines, WV crested at 14.15 feet (Flood stage is 14 feet).  This was caused by between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain over a 24-25 hour period. No snow melt or frozen ground was involved, but the ground was moist from widespread rainfall on the 12th and 13th a few days prior.  Water was observed creeping up to Highway 60 in the Hines and McRoss areas, but it is unknown if the highway was actually closed.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 06:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SHRYOCK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A National Weather Service employee reported signs that Anthony Creek, as well as multiple tributaries of the creek were out of their banks and covering Highway 92 near the community of Neola, WV during the 17th.  No damage was reported, though removal of debris was likely necessary.

Flood in MERCER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 18-FEB-23 01:50:00 to 18-FEB-23 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPANISHBURG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Bluestone River at Spanishburg, WV (SPNW2) crested at 12.10 feet (Flood stage is 12 feet). This was caused by between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain over a 24-25 hour period. No snow melt or frozen ground was involved, but the ground was moist from widespread rainfall on the 12th and 13th a few days prior. Water was observed creeping up to Highway 19 in the Spanishburg area, but there were no reports that the highway was actually closed.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 05:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ESTY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Portions of Germany Road were closed due to heavy runoff from prolonged rainfall.  No damage to the road was reported.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 10:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SNOW FLAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Portions of Highway 43 were reported to have standing water on them up to a foot deep.  The road was closed briefly to allow the water to run off.  No damage was reported.

Flood in MERCER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 05:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BRUSH FORK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The tunnel under the railroad tracks on Old Bramwell Road was flooded.  One car became stranded in the floodwater trying to drive through the tunnel. Water eventually rose up to the hood of the car.  Flooding was most likely caused due to poor drainage within the tunnel.  The nearby Bluestone River was several feet below flood stage at the onset of flooding within the tunnel.  A nearby personal weather station indicated that rainfall rates since midnight on the 17th never exceeded 0.5 inch per hour with a storm total amount of 1.7 inches, not an unusual event.  The damage estimate is for flooding to the car.

Flood in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 07:50:00 to 17-FEB-23 18:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOODMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The stream gage at Anthony Creek near Anthony (ANYW2) crested at 15.87 feet (7,865 cfs) at 1:20 pm EST on 2/17/23.  This is roughly a 2-year event (50% AEP) per USGS Streamstats for this location and the highest crest on record since 2014.  The Anthony Creek basin received between 1.75 and 2.5 inches of rainfall in about a 24-hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/23, falling over ground that was moistened by widespread rainfall on the 12th and 13th a few days prior.  There was no snow cover prior to this event.

Heavy Rain in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 08:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAMPWOOD
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KWVWHITE7) recorded 2.35 inches of rainfall during at 24 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before.  Rainfall rates at times were observed between 0.5 inch per hour to nearly an inch per hour. This amount is only a 1-year event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates.  Runoff from this location flows into Anthony Creek.

Heavy Rain in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 08:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAM BLACK CHURCH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KWVCRAWL8) recorded 2.89 inches of rainfall during at 24 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 0.5 inch per hour. This amount was between a 2-year and a 5-year event (50%-20% AEP) per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates. Runoff from this location flows into the Meadow River.

Heavy Rain in GREENBRIER, WEST VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 07:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ORIENT HILL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KWVCHARM1) recorded 3.44 inches of rainfall during at 25 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 1.5 inch per hour. This amount was between a 5-year and a 10-year event (20%-10% AEP) per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates. Runoff from this location flows into the Meadow River.