Coal River (WV) at Tornado
West Virginia — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Kanawha County, West Virginia on the Coal River (WV). Live water level data from USGS gauge 03200500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
32 ft
Moderate Flood
27 ft
Minor Flood
25 ft
Action Stage
20 ft
13,809 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
32 ft
Major flooding all along the Coal River. Several homes and buildings are affected. Access to Meadowood Park and the area along the river in the park are flooded.
30 ft
Water floods golf course and homes along low sections of river. Roads flooded and closed throughout Tornado and surrounding areas.
29 ft
Bridge over Falls Creek on Coal River Road, located approximately 250 yards north of intersection with Smith Creek Road, floods.
28.7 ft
Dip on Coal River Road approximately 150 yards north of intersection with Smith Creek Road floods.
27 ft
Coal River Road is flooded in several places along river. Smith Creek Road and Ferrell Road are impassable.
25 ft
Smith Creek Road and Ferrell Road become impassable from backwater approximately 1 to 2 miles from the bridge. Sections of Coal River Road upstream from Tornado bridge are flooded. The river banks overflow near the river gauge.
20 ft
Between 20 to 25 feet, backwater flooding from the Coal River affects Smith Creek. This results in flooding of low spots along the banks of Smith Creek, Ferrell Road, and Coal River Road upstream from gauge.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 6, 1967 | 31.98 ft | 35,500 cfs |
| Mar 6, 1967 | 31.98 ft | 35,500 cfs |
| Dec 30, 1969 | 30.89 ft | 33,800 cfs |
| Dec 30, 1969 | 30.89 ft | 33,800 cfs |
| Mar 1, 2021 | 30.79 ft | 30,300 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
TORW2
River
Coal River (WV)
County
Kanawha, WV
Coordinates
38.3390°N, 81.8415°W
Get Flood Alerts for Coal River (WV)
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Coal River (WV) at Tornado?
The Coal River (WV) at Tornado gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03200500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Coal River (WV) at Tornado?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Coal River (WV) at Tornado is 25 feet. Action stage begins at 20 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 27 feet, and major flooding at 32 feet.
How do I get alerts when Coal River (WV) rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Coal River (WV) at Tornado to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Coal River (WV) at Tornado gauge located?
The gauge is located in Kanawha County, West Virginia at coordinates 38.3390°N, 81.8415°W. USGS site number: 03200500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.