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Storm Events Database
Event Details:
| Event | Tornado |
| -- Scale | F1 |
| -- Length | 1.5 Miles |
| -- Width | 80 Yards |
| State | WEST VIRGINIA |
| County/Area | KANAWHA |
| WFO | RLX |
| Report Source | NWS STORM SURVEY |
| NCEI Data Source | PDC |
| Begin Date | 1998-06-02 14:58 EST |
| Begin Location | 2SE CHARLESTON |
| Begin Lat/Lon | 38.33/-81.60 |
| End Date | 1998-06-02 15:00 EST |
| End Location | 4SE CHARLESTON |
| End Lat/Lon | 38.32/-81.58 |
| Deaths Direct/Indirect | 0/0 (fatality details below, when available...) |
| Injuries Direct/Indirect | 0/0 |
| Property Damage | 100K |
| Crop Damage | |
| Episode Narrative | The rotating supercell that formed in southeast Ohio cut a path southeast, up the Kanawha River Valley. The most damage was from large hail hitting the urban areas, especially the Kanawha City section of Charleston. Hundreds of vehicles were dented, including new cars at dealerships. Roofs, plus west facing siding and windows were also damaged. Large trees were also uprooted or snapped. The largest concentration of tree damage was from the South Hills and Kanawha City sections of Charleston on east, to Malden. So the wind damage was still substantial. One large tree damaged a church, another tree heavily damaged a home along Lower Donnally Road. The largest insurance company reported a total of about 10,000 claims for homes and vehicles combined. One Kanawha City business owner said, "I never saw anything like this before. I never thought I'd go through this in West Virginia." The junior high school in Kanawha City was to be letting students go home just before the storm hit. Instead, the staff and students took shelter in the interior hallways of the school. The warnings and the smart action by citizens of the Kanawha Valley prevented any injuries from this powerful thunderstorm. |
| Event Narrative | The tornado moved up Chappell Hollow, in the Kanawha City section of Charleston. The path was along the east facing slope of the hollow, and narrowly missed several homes. A few homes were still damaged by fallen trees. The estimated winds were between 90 and 100 mph. |
Event Map:
Note: The tornado track is approximate based on the beginning (B) and ending (E) locations. The actual tornado path may differ from a straight line.
All events for this episode:
| Location | County/Zone | St. | Date | Time | T.Z. | Type | Mag | Dth | Inj | PrD | CrD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Totals: | 0 | 1 | 12.365M | 0.00K | |||||||
| APPLE GROVE | MASON CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:15 | EST | Tornado | F1 | 0 | 1 | 75.00K | 0.00K |
| PLINY | PUTNAM CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:16 | EST | Tornado | F1 | 0 | 0 | 20.00K | 0.00K |
| BUFFALO | PUTNAM CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:25 | EST | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K | |
| CROSS LANES | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:28 | EST | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 1.000M | 0.00K |
| RUTH | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:50 | EST | Thunderstorm Wind | 60 kts. | 0 | 0 | 25.00K | 0.00K |
| CHARLESTON | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:55 | EST | Thunderstorm Wind | 0 | 0 | 3.000M | 0.00K | |
| (CRW) YEAGER ARPT | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:56 | EST | Hail | 1.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 0.00K | 0.00K |
| CHARLESTON | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:57 | EST | Hail | 1.50 in. | 0 | 0 | 2.000M | 0.00K |
| CHARLESTON | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:58 | EST | Hail | 2.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 6.000M | 0.00K |
| CHARLESTON | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 14:58 | EST | Tornado | F1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00K | 0.00K |
| LEEWOOD | KANAWHA CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 15:19 | EST | Tornado | F0 | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| KINCAID | FAYETTE CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 15:20 | EST | Hail | 1.00 in. | 0 | 0 | 10.00K | 0.00K |
| BRAGG | RALEIGH CO. | WV | 06/02/1998 | 15:40 | EST | Hail | 1.75 in. | 0 | 0 | 100.00K | 0.00K |
| Totals: | 0 | 1 | 12.365M | 0.00K |
