Thousands without power, roads closed after Friday's flooding

CHARLESTON, WV (WCHS/WVAH) — UPDATE, SATURDAY 1:15 p.m. - After heavy rain fell throughout the day Friday, thousands are without power and several roads in the area remain closed.

According to Appalachian Power, about 1,700 West Virginia customers are without service Saturday afternoon.

The most outages are in Kanawha County, where 745 customers are without power. In Charleston, Keystone Drive is shut down from Barlow Drive to Letart Lane for utility pole repairs. Crews said it will likely be closed for most of the day.

Also in Kanawha County, Coal River Road and Ferrell Road are closed in Tornado due to high water.

The West Virginia DOT also said the westbound lanes of Route 60 is closed due to a rock slide near Cannelton Coal Tipple.

The heavy rains caused several rock and mudslides across the region, including one in Mercer County that has shut down Kellysville Road.

The National Weather Service said the Coal River, the Little Coal River and the Big Coal River should crest Saturday afternoon, but drivers should still be on the watch for high water in those areas.

The good news is most of the area will be drying out with a lot of sunshine and warm temperatures expected for at least the next six days.

UPDATE, 5:37 p.m. -- Kanawha County Emergency Management officials said they are monitoring the high water situations throughout the county.

A flood warning has been issued for central Kanawha County until 10:45 p.m. Friday.

High water signs have been placed in areas throughout the county where water has gathered and roads are inaccessible, according to a news release from county emergency officials. Emergency officials urge motorists not to drive through these areas.

UPDATE, 5:05 p.m. - The National Weather Service in Charleston has issued a flood warning for parts of West Virginia after heavy rains fell throughout Friday afternoon.

The flood warning is for central Kanawha County south of the Charleston areas and parts of Lincoln, Boone, Raleigh and Fayette counties. Some areas that may see flooding include: Charleston, Beckley, Madison, Fayetteville, Rainelle, Babcock State Park, Jefferson, South Charleston, Dunbar, Oak Hill, Montgomery, Chesapeake, Marmet, Mount Hope, Mabscott, Ansted, Sophia, Belle,Cedar Grove and East Bank, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning runs through 10:45 p.m. Friday.

A flash flood watch is also in effect until 11 p.m. Friday for much of West Virginia, and some counties in northeast Kentucky.

UPDATE, 4:52 p.m. - As rain continues to fall in the area, Metro 911 is also reporting the underpass on Route 60 in Belle is flooded by the Chemours Plant, which is the old DuPont Plant.

As rain pounded the area, Metro 911 said there are multiple reports of high water on several roads.

Emergency officials are urging motorists not to attempt to drive through the high water.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation reported that U.S. Route 60 in Smithers is closed due to a mudslide.