Flood of April 1977 in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia

Heavy rains fell over the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia April 2-5, 1977, causing record flooding. Rainfall amounts of 4 to 15.5 inches were observed. The maximum amount of 15.5 inches occurred at Jolo, WV , in about 30 hours. This was more than twice the amount which would be expected for a 100-year recurrence-interval storm. Flood discharges along the upper Guyandotte River; Tug Fork and Levisa Fork in the Big Sandy River basin; Cumberland River; and Clinch River and Dowell River in the Tennessee River basin exceeded those previously known. Severe flooding also occurred along the Holston River and along the North Fork Kentucky River. Recurrence intervals of observed flood discharges were greater than 100-years at 29 streamflow measurement sites. Substantial reductions in peak stages and discharges on Levisa Fork, North Pound River, and Guyandotte River, attained as a result of reservoir storage, were reported by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Maximum daily suspended-sediment discharges on Guyandotte River near Baileysville, WV, and Tug Fork at Glenhayes, WV, were 54,800 tons/day and 290,000 tons/day, respectively, April 5, 1977. Twenty-two lives were lost and total property damage reportedly exceeded $400 million in the four-State area. (USGS)