CHARLESTON — What’s left of tropical storm Debby was expected to hit West Virginia with3 to 6 inches of rainfall over 24 hours. The rain was expected to start Thursday evening and stretch all the way to this evening.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch in 12 counties in the eastern half of the state. Although it’s possible for some western counties of West Virginia to receive some rainfall from the system, the bulk of the storm’s precipitation is anticipated to fall in the Eastern Panhandle.
“By [Friday] morning the center of the tropical storm will be along the West Virginia and Virginia border around Pendleton and Hardy counties. Overnight and into tomorrow morning will probably be the hardest rain for a lot of the area,” said Francis Kredensor, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Governor Jim Justice Thursday afternoon declared a “State of Preparedness” in all 55 West Virginia counties in anticipation of the storm.
“While we need the rain in West Virginia, we need to absolutely be ready for the potential impact Tropical Storm Debby may bring,” Justice said in a release. “I have ordered our state agencies to prepare to respond immediately if necessary. We’re ready to provide all possible resources should flooding or other weather incidents occur.”
The State of Preparedness allows the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to pre-position personnel and resources for quick response to any emergency that may develop. Coordinating agencies have been placed on standby to report to the State Emergency Operations Center should the need arise.
The eastern half of the state needs the rain the most, but it remained unclear how much Debby would do to improve drought conditions.
“Three to six inches is not going to break that drought, but it definitely will improve conditions,” Kredensor said.
The key concern is whether it will fall over a long period of time or come down all at once.
“We are looking right now at a pretty sustained, steady rain, but there will be those heavier cells and thunderstorms embedded. Those are the real concern, especially after you’re already received a couple of inches,” Kredensor explained on MetroNews Talkline.
Along with the counties of West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, the mountain counties from Preston, Tucker, Randolph, and Pocahontas along the Allegheny Front are also included in the flood watch and expect significant rainfall.
