On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, severe thunderstorms produced catastrophic, record-breaking flash flooding across central West Virginia. Commissioner Eric Lupardus has begun gathering supplies to assist with flooding victims. Contact him directly or through social media if you’d like to offer assistance.
Key details:
• Rainfall: More than 7 inches of rain fell in Upshur County in about a 6-hour span that afternoon/evening.
A statement from Buckhannon Mayor Skinner a Statement On Flooding was Issued as follows:
BUCKHANNON, WV: The Buckhannon River has crested—officially at 25.15’—the highest since 2016. Although the flood waters have begun to recede, it will be a slow drain-out process. Many streets in the southern half of our Downtown are impassable. Later today, please use caution when driving through the areas once flooded. High waters leave behind debris that can harm you and your vehicle. Our Public Works Departments will be cleaning streets once the waters recede.
Please be patient as you travel around the city today. To access Main Street, the northern half of Downtown, and Corridor H, use College Avenue to East Main Street.
Some Downtown businesses may not be open today. For example, First Community Bank’s drive-thru cannot operate due to the flood waters around it. Please call ahead to any businesses you wish to visit before traveling.
City Hall extends sincere thanks to the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management, the West Virginia Department of Highways, and, of course, all of our City’s Public Works and Public Safety Departments. This Winter has certainly been a challenge for our city and cities across the state.
• Record flood levels: Sand Run, a creek near Buckhannon, rose more than 8 feet in less than five hours, cresting at over 10.63 feet — shattering the previous record of 8.34 feet set in 1985 .
Other flooding events and notifications were wide spread across State, local and social media:
• Emergency declaration: Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a State of Emergency for all 55 counties as storms caused flash flooding, landslides, road closures, and other dangerous conditions , with the hardest-hit areas including Lewis, Pleasants and Upshur counties .
• NWS warning: The National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” designation for the flash flood emergency.
• Rescues and response: Evacuations and dozens of water rescues were reported as roads and buildings flooded . Gov. Morrisey said 100 National Guard members would arrive across the affected counties overnight .
Drone Operator, Epic Flight Views of Weston, WV posted the following drone images of the Lewis County Flooding on YouTube.
• Infrastructure: Interstate 79 remained closed due to flooding in the Weston area into Wednesday morning.
• Power/communications: Mon Power reported more than 22,000 customers without service in central West Virginia , and Upshur County’s 911 service went down , forcing residents to use an alternate emergency line.
• Related severe weather: A suspected tornado also tore through Pleasants County that day, and severe storms produced tornado warnings elsewhere in the state.
