Flood in Greenbrier County, West Virginia

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.

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.

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.