by Darlene J. Taylor

STAFF WRITER

CLARKSBURG -- Heavy bands of rain through Harrison and Marion counties forced creeks and streams out of their banks and flooded numerous basements Friday.

Torrential downpours made traveling hazardous and even dangerous in some areas where water was covering roadways. At least one rock slide was reported.

Captain G.L. Jordan of the Harrison County 911 Center said his office received flooding calls from the Wilsonburg, Gregory's Run, Sardis and Lost Creek areas Friday evening.

Jordan said the majority of flooding came from small creeks, as well as drainage ditches not able to handle the copious amounts of rain.

Marion County 911 dispatchers reported flooding in the Barrackville area. Barrackville Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Mike Bland said they answered 11 flood-related calls in a five-hour period Friday.

"Nine of the calls were flooded basements," said Bland. "We had one rock slide and one was just gravel washed into the road from the heavy rains."

Rivesville and Baxter volunteer fire departments were called to assist when multiple calls began coming in during a short period of time, he said.

"Thank goodness the rain has let up -- for the time being anyway," Bland said about 9 p.m.

An upper-level low-pressure area still is affecting the region, said Kari Fleegel, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.

There still is a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs today are expected to remain chilly should top out in the upper 60s, Fleegel said.

"We expect the rain to be out of the region after late Saturday night and dry weather is forecast for Sunday and Monday," she said.

Staff writer Darlene J. Taylor can be reached at 626-1403 or by e-mail at dtaylor@exponent-telegram.com