In a small window of time, between one and two inches of rain fell in the immediate area Friday afternoon.

 

“It was such a heavy downpour and our drainage system couldn’t handle it, which resulted in flash flooding,” said Director of Bridgeport Emergency Services Laura Pysz.

 

With already drenched ground conditions due to earlier rainfall - including one to two inches received Thursday - water ran like a river through some neighborhoods and across some roadways. Bridgeport Fire Department was dispatched to two structure flood calls on Archwood Avenue (1:49 p.m.) and Sherwood Road (2 p.m.), but there was no major damage in either case, said Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart.

 

Fire/emergency crews were also dispatched to fallen power lines on Airport Road and a tree down on Route 131 at the same spot where slippage recently occurred. Today’s conditions caused further slipping. Bridgeport Police were also on scene, helping to secure the area, said Chief John Walker.

 

“There was a little bit of traffic delay, but the Department of Highways got there quickly and sent two flaggers so they could stop traffic when they needed to maneuver equipment,” Pysz said. “The road wasn’t closed and the DOH did a great job of keeping traffic flowing.”

 

The roadway impacted the most was U.S. Route 50/West Main Street, where water cascaded from around Twin Oaks down to Big Daddy’s Discount Furniture (former Ace Hardware). Water poured into Speedway and Go Mart parking lots and according to witnesses, took out a fireworks tent located in the vicinity.

 

Hart said there was likely some damage in that area, but he isn’t aware of specific information. He also said that though that’s a problem spot, he has never seen water there like it was Friday.

 

Friday’s downpour brought other weather-related calls, including road obstruction – water and debris, Hart said. There were no incidents of water rescue and no injuries reported, he said.

 

There were a few accidents during that time – at Emily Drive, I-79 (119 mile marker) and Meadowbrook Road – but none of the wrecks were weather-related.

 

Director of Parks and Recreation Joe Shuttleworth said there was no major flooding of athletic fields, but a baseball tournament scheduled for this weekend at Bridgeport Recreation Complex has been canceled due to weather.

 

Bridgeport High School Principal Matt DeMotto said there was some water in the football fieldhouse, but nothing serious.

 

“It’s not something that hasn’t happened multiple times before with a strong downpour. Not the same as a few months back,” DeMotto said, referring to major flooding of athletic facilities – including the football field –in mid-April.  

 

There were no issues with the turf today, DeMotto said.

 

“A heavy rain will result in water standing on turf and track,” he said. “It drains soon after the heavy rain subsides.”

 

Pysz was out for hours after the downpour, assessing post-flood situations and taking photos.

 

There was some damage to pavement on Route 50/West Main Street and major clean-up was needed at parking lots in the area, including Go Mart and Gourmet Café, she said.

 

Several residents reported water in their basements. Carpet cleaners and bleach were in big demand at local stores late this afternoon and this evening. 

 

As water came up in a flash, it ended in the same manner.

 

“As quick as it came up, it went back down,” Pysz said. “But we are still under a flood watch until 2 a.m. More problems could occur and we’re on standby, ready if such problems should arise.”

 

According to WDTV, multiple rounds of showers and storms are likely through tonight with additional rainfall of up to two inches expected. Heavy amounts of rain in short periods of time may cause creeks and streams to rapidly rise out of their banks, along with the potential of flash flooding in urban areas. 

 

Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of major flooding in southern West Virginia and June 29 will mark the six-year anniversary of the derecho that hit our city.

 

Similar incidents of fallen trees and power lines, as well as roadway obstructions and structure flooding, was reported in the general area Friday afternoon. In Weston, a car floated down a street and landed in a culvert pipe. 

 

Read flood reporting by Jeff Toquinto earlier today, as well as a collection of photos and video from area residents HERE. Photo just above is courtesy of Jan Hinkle.