Flood Warning In Effect Until 515 AM EDT Monday for Kanawha and Putnam Counties
The National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia, says flooding from excessive rainfall is expected in central Kanawha and central Putnam counties, and local media have reported water rescues.
4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 16, 2026, 10:56 p.m. ET
Hazard products are revised and cancelled as conditions change. Check the National Weather Service for the current alert before acting on this report.
Earlier reports
Aug 16, 2026, 11:35 p.m. ET
National Weather Service Issues Flood Warning for Central Kanawha and Putnam Counties
The National Weather Service office in Charleston, West Virginia, has issued a flood warning for central Kanawha County in central West Virginia and central Putnam County in western West Virginia. The alert carries the headline "FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 AM EDT MONDAY."
Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected, according to the alert. It states that flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.
The warning took effect at 10:38 p.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, and runs until 5:15 a.m. EDT on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026 — the "until 515 AM EDT Monday" end time given by the office.
The alert also states that local media have reported water rescues. It does not say where or when those rescues took place.
Among the precautions listed: turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles. The office advises being especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding, and asks that flooding be reported to the National Weather Service by calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when it is safe to do so.
The alert text was distributed through the National Weather Service raw data feed.
Aug 16, 2026, 11:24 p.m. ET
NWS Warns of Imminent Flooding and Water Rescues in Kanawha and Putnam Counties
Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying locations is imminent or occurring in central Kanawha County and central Putnam County in West Virginia, according to official records from the National Weather Service Charleston WV. Local media have reported water rescues in the affected areas.
The flood warning, caused by expected excessive rainfall, began at 10:38 PM EDT on August 16, 2026, and is in effect until 515 AM EDT on Monday, August 17, 2026.
The Weather Service advised motorists to turn around and not drown when encountering flooded roads, noting that most flood deaths occur in vehicles and caution is especially important at night. Flooding can be reported to the National Weather Service by calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when it can be done safely.
Aug 16, 2026, 10:56 p.m. ETFirst report
Flood Warning in Effect for Kanawha WV and Putnam WV Until 515 AM EDT Monday
A flood warning is in effect for two West Virginia areas overnight: Kanawha WV and Putnam WV.
According to the flood warning record issued by the National Weather Service Charleston WV, the warning covers Central Kanawha County in central West Virginia and Central Putnam County in western West Virginia — listed in the record as the affected areas Kanawha WV and Putnam WV, a total of 1 zone. Residents of Kanawha County and Putnam County, including the Charleston and Winfield areas, are inside the warned area.
The warning began at 10:38 PM EDT on Saturday, August 16, 2026, and runs until 515 AM EDT Monday, per the same record. The local date of the event is August 17, 2026.
The record states that flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected, and that flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. It also states that local media have reported water rescues.
The National Weather Service's precautions in the record are direct: turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Flooding can be reported to the National Weather Service by calling toll free, 800 401 9535, when it is safe to do so.
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Revision history
- Version 117 Aug 2026, 03:40current
First published.
- Version 117 Aug 2026, 03:24current
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- Version 117 Aug 2026, 02:56current
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- Version 117 Aug 2026, 03:35current
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