A New Martinsville City Street Crew work early to clear streets and restore normal traffic flow during the storms.

Overnight rains last Friday morning brought flooding problems for New Martinsville and the surrounding area. As much as 2 inches of rain fell in some areas, bringing with it some minor flash flooding.

Streets were closed, while city crews were out early cleaning storm drains and heavy debris from road ways. In some areas warning signs of overnight flooding were still in place.

Water quickly rose in the Hundred area closing Rt 250 and city streets, while littering the community with mud and debris. The high school baseball field along Rt. 250 was covered in water and debris.

Although by morning the rain had stopped, the forecast over the weekend predicted more rain with possible flash flooding. With water standing in most low lying areas, it increases the potential for flooding of some area basements.

With the heavy rains and predictions of even more, the Ohio River area runoff will increase the chance of flooding from the river. Forecasters are calling for the levels to reach moderate stages. increase in runoff, leading to a significant rise in the river. As of last late Friday afternoon the River was expected to crest on Tuesday, April 8. At 30.29 feet. Flood stage is 35 feet.

Due to the overnight heavy rains and rural stream flooding, area schools were closed. Partly due to quick rise in small streams overnight and the chance that day time runoffs could swell creeks and small streams even more.