November 4–5, 1985 · Rowlesburg / Albright / Cheat River
Election Day Flood Devastates the Cheat Valley Across County Lines
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
- Related photograph
Floodwater at Dorsey’s TV Sales in Parsons, November 1985
View photograph ↗ (tuckerculture.com)