Flooding Delays First Day of School as Harrison County Begins Cleanup

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Harrison County is waking up Tuesday to lingering high water, damaged roads and a delayed start to the school year after heavy rain triggered widespread flooding and water rescues across the county Monday afternoon and evening.

Harrison County Schools announced Monday night that there will be no school Tuesday, Aug. 18, because of localized flooding. Tuesday had been scheduled to begin the new school year for students across the county.

The cancellation followed an afternoon of rapidly changing conditions as heavy rain overwhelmed streams, drainage systems and low-lying roads.

Harrison-Taylor 911 dispatch logs showed flooding calls and water rescues beginning Monday afternoon as conditions quickly deteriorated. First responders were sent to multiple communities as rising water covered roads, stranded vehicles and created dangerous conditions throughout the county.

Flooding affected communities from Clarksburg and Bridgeport to Stonewood, Anmoore, Shinnston and surrounding areas.

Significant flooding developed along West Virginia Route 58 near the Anmoore Volunteer Fire Department, where water covered portions of the roadway and surrounding properties.

Flooding also forced the closure of Route 131 near its intersection with U.S. Route 50 in Bridgeport, while high water developed at numerous other locations around Harrison County.

West Virginia 511 reported high water Monday on U.S. 19 at Farnum Road, Johnson Avenue at Vista Drive, Benedum Drive, Hoop Pole Run Road, Lucas Road at Roberts Run Road, U.S. 50 at Quality Lane and several additional roads. Wilsonburg Road at Daily Street was reported washed out, while other road damage and high-water conditions were reported throughout the county.

The impact continued after the heaviest rain moved out.

Flood warnings remained in effect across portions of Harrison County into Tuesday morning as runoff from Monday’s storms continued moving through creeks, streams and low-lying areas.

The flooding came after repeated rounds of rain across North Central West Virginia in recent days, leaving the ground increasingly saturated before another round of heavy storms arrived Monday afternoon.

For Harrison County families, the effects of Monday’s flooding will now carry into at least a second day.

Instead of students beginning the new school year Tuesday morning, families will have another day at home while road crews, first responders and residents continue assessing damage and clearing areas affected by the flooding.

Drivers should continue to use caution Tuesday morning, particularly on secondary roads and in low-lying areas where water may remain over roadways or damage may not yet be fully visible.

Harrison County Schools is expected to provide additional information if flooding or road conditions require further changes to the school schedule.