May 2, 2002
Repetitive showers and thunderstorms moved rapidly across the southern coal fields, from the late morning hours to the early evening, on a Thursday, the 2nd of May. A few reports of large hail and gusty winds were received, but the major problem was the severe flash flooding in McDowell County. The heaviest rains were on the order of 2.5 to 5 inches, in a west to east corridor from northern Buchanan County, Virginia through central McDowell County. As a result, many more streams in McDowell C
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database (event 5291051). Narrative written by NWS staff at the time of the event.
This event is one of many recorded floods in McDowell County. See the full FEMA flood zone map, NFIP claim totals, and disaster history for the area.