UPPER WEST FORK FLOODING: WATER GETS INTO VFD STATION, PARK IMPLEMENTS WASHED AWAY - Water Blocking Rt. 16

(10/27/2018)
DAY OF STEADY RAIN CAUSES RISE WITH SATURATED GROUND

9/27/2020 - Vigorous community efforts have restored the park.

10-27-2018 UPDATE 11 PM - Reports said that water was in the road at the Arnoldsburg "Y" US 33-119/Rt. 16.

10-27-2018 UPDATE 7:30 PM - Rising West Fork flooding had not reached Arnoldsburg at 7:30 p.m. with the river rising.

Events at the WV Molasses Festival were canceled, with the Arnoldsburg King and Queen selection rescheduled for 6 p.m. Friday.

Firemen at the Upper West Fork VFD reported considerable water in the fire station and community building, with the parks picnic tables and dumpsters washed away.

Firemen removed trucks to higher ground.

Most of the side streams are flooding.

Water at Chloe started dropping at 7:30 p.m.

Water was excepted to crest at Arnoldsburg late Thursday.

Water was in the highway at the Arnoldsburg "Y" about 11 p.m.

Sources said the water could "level out" as it comes down the valley, causing less damage.

At 8:40 p.m. the Arnoldsburg VFD responded to a "brush fire" with downed power line on Pink Road near Beech.

3:00 PM - PHOTOS JUST BEFORE REALLY RISING WATER: Greater Stinson Area

A day with slow falling rain has caused flooding in the upper West Fork area of Calhoun, the ground super-saturated, with the water headed toward Arnoldsburg.

Photos of the rapidly rising water were taken about 3 p.m. in the greater Stinson, Walker and Walnut areas, but by 4:30 p.m. the water had risen a foot or two.

Water was over Rt. 16 in several places.

Some Calhoun school children has difficulty accessing their homes, although school dismissed early.

The Upper West Fork VFD moved fire equipment from the station to Rt. 16, water was in the fire station at 5:30 p.m. and the community building.

A flood watch had been in effect for Clay, Gilmer, Braxton and a section of Calhoun until midnight Thursday.