November 4–5, 1985 · Rowlesburg / Albright / Cheat River
After prolonged heavy rain, the Cheat River reached a record crest of 36.9 feet at Rowlesburg. Floodwaters devastated Rowlesburg, Albright, and neighboring Cheat Valley communities, destroying homes, businesses, bridges, roads, and railroad infrastructure; 110 of Albright’s 132 homes were destroyed. Upstream in Tucker County, Parsons also suffered devastating flooding. Scientific study of the Cheat River and Black Fork documented exceptional flooding, erosion, and debris deposits, placing Preston’s losses within the wider disaster across the shared watershed.
Research status: Verified
Read full entry and research notes →April 9, 1991 · Kingwood / Rowlesburg / Preston County
A fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms struck Preston County with destructive straight-line winds. Kingwood recorded a 69-mph gust, more than 100 pine trees fell near Kingwood, and two people were injured near Rowlesburg when their mobile home was blown from its base.
Research status: Verified to source
Read full entry and research notes →January 19–20, 1996 · Rowlesburg / Cheat River / Preston County
Warm air rapidly melted a snowpack as deep as 25 inches before rain accelerated the runoff. The Cheat River crested at 24.2 feet at Rowlesburg—8.2 feet above flood stage. Across Preston and Tucker counties, 85 homes sustained major damage, 127 had minor damage, and 141 were minimally affected; Preston County property damage was estimated at $710,000.
Research status: Verified to source
Read full entry and research notes →June 2, 1998 · Northeastern Preston County
An F2 tornado entered the northeastern tip of Preston County at about 9:45 p.m. and crossed into Garrett County, Maryland, about five minutes later. Along its full 12-mile path through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland, the tornado destroyed a dairy barn and two house trailers, damaged roofs, and cut a path of uprooted and sheared trees as wide as 300 yards. No injuries were reported.
Research status: Verified to source
Read full entry and research notes →January 13–15, 1999 · Preston County
A powerful winter storm left more than one inch of ice in parts of Preston County. Falling branches and power lines cut electricity to more than 3,000 county homes, producing what the utility called Preston County’s worst power outage since 1983.
Research status: Verified to source
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