State of emergency in West Virginia amid heavy flooding, water rescues

Heavy rainfall over the weekend and throughout Monday has led to major flash floods in central West Virginia, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston.

Local reports show streets, homes and cars surrounded by picturesque Appalachian mountains overwhelmed with murky water. Areas in Chesapeake, Cedar Grove and Winifrede were hit especially hard, the weather service said.

A flash flood emergency was issued for Kanawha County, which received anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rain on Monday alone, according to officials.

According to a Monday morning update from Kanawha County, the severe weather "is an ongoing, life-threatening emergency." In the afternoon, officials warned that "already saturated" grounds could experience further issues as rain persists.

The office of West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice on Monday declared a state of emergency for Kanawha, Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, and Roane counties. Mudslides closed both lanes of U.S. Route 60 in Belle and on the West Virginia Turnpike near Chelyan at mile marker 85.5, where the southbound right lane was closed, according to the governor’s office.

“The rain is causing significant flooding, damaging homes, bridges, and roads throughout the counties,” the governor's statement read.

Water rescues

The West Virginia Division of Highways has been clearing culverts, cleaning up mudslides, and assessing damage from heavy rains throughout the affected counties, the governor’s office said. As of Monday morning, there had been 22 water rescues in Kanawha County and surrounding areas, according to WOWK-TV.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecasted to persist through Tuesday, with areas along and near the mountains at greater risk for precipitation as showers become more widespread Tuesday afternoon, according to the weather service.

“Locally heavy rainfall may occur, which could cause high water issues in and near the mountains, although a rogue slow moving heavier shower or thunderstorm could cause localized issues farther west,” the agency said.

WCHS-TV reporter Bob Aaron shared photos on social media of flooding in Kanawha County, the state's most populous and home of the state capital of Charleston.

Drier and slightly cooler conditions should return mid-week.

How to prepare for a flash flood

Flash floods can begin within minutes of storms, according to the National Weather Service.

Kanawha County officials who are on the scene have asked the public to use caution and watch for additional issues in areas where creeks and streams have already come out of their banks.

According to weather service's office in Charleston, you should:

• Stay weather aware

• Never cross flooded roadways in a vehicle

• Have multiple ways to receive warnings

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: State of emergency in West Virginia amid heavy floods, water rescues