Flood watch continues for Eastern Panhandle

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Emergency officials in the Eastern Panhandle are heaving a sigh of relief today after seeing less rain and warmer temperatures than predicted on Wednesday.

“I don’t think yesterday [Wednesday] was as bad as what the weather service was anticipating,” Director of the Berkeley County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency management Eddie Gochenour said. “It didn’t get quite as warm and I don’t know if we had quite the rain fall.”

Still, Gochenour said there were several areas along the Opequon being impacted Thursday.

Public Information Officer with the Jefferson County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Brandon Vallee said they are expecting the Shenandoah River to be at minor flood stage Thursday night into Friday morning, which could impact some roads.

The Opequon Creek has also reached minor flood stage there as well, but Vallee says it should stop there.

Director of Morgan County Emergency Management, Zach Caldwell, says the worst of the flooding happens Thursday morning into Friday evening, with the Cacapon River rising as high as 11 feet.

“The water will likely be at and above minor flood stage,” Caldwell said.”

Original predictions called for the Opequon to reach moderate flood stage, meaning it would begin to encroach on people’s homes.

Officials are urging caution as the waters recede over the next day or so.