MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — There are at least six instances of downed trees and one rock slide onto an active railroad track in Monongalia County due to heavy rains and localized flooding.
“The water’s going to keep rising,” MECCA 911 Director Jim Smith said. “I think the river is supposed to peak around one or two o’clock this afternoon, but with the amount of rain we have, we’re going to continue to see run off. So the water is going to continue rising throughout the day today.”
There are no reports of injuries or damage to buildings. The railroad track blocked by several boulders is near the Star City Bridge, closer to Granville.
“A couple boulders had slid down onto the railroad track, and we have contacted the railroad about getting those removed,” Smith said.
Thus far, flooding was reported across Russell Run Road near Wana, Fairmont Road, Williams Road, Hagans Road, Hartman Run Road, and Earl L. Core Road. Temperatures are expected to continue dropping into the 30’s as the day progresses.
“Obviously, we’re going to have some standing water in the roadways,” he said. “There’s potential that some of that water may freeze. We want to advise everybody, once the temperature start dropping, please watch out for the freezing conditions on the roadways.”
Smith said commuters should be prepared to use alternative routes, but ideally should stay off the road as much as possible Friday.
“If you see standing water in the roadways, don’t go through it,” he said. “Turn around and go around. Find an alternative route.”
There are also reports of flooding in Preston County, shutting down parts of W.Va. 72 and flooding parts of Rt. 92 and Rt. 50.
Schools across the region were closed in Marion and Harrison counties. Mason-Dixon Elementary School and Clay-Battelle High School on the western end of Monongalia County closed due to flooding.
Rain is expected to change to snow showers late Friday afternoon.