Posted in West Virginia Spring April 20, 2020 by

This Spring Is Forecast To Be The Most Active Tornado Season West Virginia Has Seen In Years

A century ago, West Virginia was believed to be immune to tornados. But history has proven that we are not, and unfortunately, this spring is predicted to be one of above-average tornado activity across the state.

On June 22 and 23 of the year 1944, West Virginia experienced the deadliest tornado outbreak of her history, which is now known as the "1944 Appalachian Tornado Outbreak."
Jon Dawson/Flickr
At this time, multiple tornados hit parts of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland; particularly hard-hit was the town of Shinnston, West Virginia in Harrison County.
pingnews.com/flickr
An F-4 tornado destroyed the town, killing 30 people. An additional 70+ people were killed in Marion, Taylor, Tucker, Barbour, and Randolph Counties by a total of three simultaneous tornadoes.
We've had tornadoes since 1944, but none nearing the magnitude of an F-4.
US Department Of Agriculture/Flickr
More often, we feel the effects of an active tornado season not as actual tornadoes themselves, but as severe, destructive storms with high winds and heavy rain.
Flooding is a real concern for our area, as evidenced by the ongoing recovery efforts that are still underway after the flooding in June of 2016, in which 8-10 inches of rain fell in under 12 hours.
The National Guard/Flickr
This elevated the Elk River to an all-time high of 33.37 feet and significantly impacted portions of Kanawha, Fayette, Nicholas, Summers, and Greenbrier counties.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area this spring, seek immediate shelter in the lowest area (bottom floor or basement) of the sturdiest building available to you, staying away from windows.
sponki25/Flickr
A mobile home is not considered a safe place to shelter during a tornado event. Keep an emergency kit available in your shelter room that contains bottled water, a flashlight, a candle and matches, protein bars, etc. in case of power outages. In case of flooding, know the available flood evacuation routes.

Although there is an elevated tornado risk this spring, the chance that we will actually experience one is still small. But it pays to be prepared and to have a plan in place just in case. Stay safe, West Virginia!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: West Virginia, USA