Tropical Storm Debby Causes Flash Flooding, One Fatality In Eastern Panhandle

After a weeks-long dry spell, sudden heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby brought flash flooding to some areas of Berkeley County, claiming the life of one resident.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flooding warning Thursday for Berkeley County, as well as nearby areas in Maryland and Virginia. The warning was extended through Friday afternoon.

NWS estimated that the region received roughly three inches of rainfall by Friday afternoon. The agency also issued a tornado warning Friday at approximately 10:40 p.m., which lasted until 11:15 p.m. On Thursday, Gov. Jim Justice issued a state of preparedness for all 55 counties in the state regarding the storm.

While the sudden rainfall helped address concerns regarding an ongoing drought, the rainfall subjected the region to small stream flooding, affecting “low-lying and flood-prone” areas and causing some roadways to become impassable, according to NWS.

The extreme weather also caused the death of one resident in the state’s Eastern Panhandle.

West Virginia State Police reported that the storm knocked a tree onto a residence in the Jefferson County community of Shannondale, killing Stephanie Wishmyer, 36, who was inside at the time. Her husband, also home, was in another part of the house and survived the incident without injury.