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PARKERSBURG - A flood watch for the region remains in effect until this afternoon as more rain is expected throughout the day.

According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, rain is expected throughout today and tonight before the area catches a break Friday and Saturday. The break could be short-lived, however, as there is a chance of thunderstorms Sunday and into next week.

The flash-flood watch includes Ravenswood, Ripley, Parkersburg, Vienna, St. Marys, Belmont, Paden City, Sistersville, Middlebourne, Spencer, Elizabeth, Grantsville, Harrisville, Pennsboro and Glenville.

Officials at Wood County Central Telecommunications said there had been no reports of high water as of Wednesday night, but dispatchers were keeping a close watch on weather reports.

Bill Riffle, telecommunications supervisor at the 911 center, said no other weather-related problems were reported Wednesday night although officials are preparing for more rain.

According to the weather service, showers and thunderstorms were likely Wednesday night, followed by localized downpours on Thursday. Though the likelihood of thunderstorms has diminished, widespread showers could drop two to three inches of water in a few hours. Weather service reports indicate these are prime conditions for flash flooding along streams and creeks.

Nuisance problems could occur with as little as a quick inch or 2 of rain, producing street flooding in poorly drained areas. Individuals who live along flood-prone streams should heighten their weather awareness and monitor water levels, according to the weather service.

Weather service officials said rain showers were likely after 2 a.m. today, with a chance of precipitation around 60 percent. The trend was expected to continue through the day, with showers expected before 2 p.m and an increased chance of precipitation. The rainfall is expected to taper off tonight, with isolated showers expected before 10 p.m. However, the chance of precipitation was expected to drop below 20 percent.

According the weather service, Friday is expected to be mostly sunny and conditions should be mostly clear Friday night. However, showers and thunderstorms are expected beginning Sunday and running into Wednesday.

The flash flood watch comes on the heels of a storm Tuesday that knocked down trees and power lines in Wood and Washington Counties. The storm dropped heavy rain and hail on the area, and was accompanied by heavy winds.

There were numerous reports of fallen trees throughout the county. The areas hardest hit seemed to be Williamstown, Vienna and Parkersburg, dispatchers said. Other areas of the county fared better.

"It seemed to be the north end of the county that was hardest hit," Riffle said.

Area firefighters cleared the fallen trees quickly after Tuesday's storm, but the high winds left behind a lot of smaller debris. Area residents were busy with rakes and leaf blowers Wednesday as they cleaned up after the tempest. Piles of small limbs and bags of leaves dotted the green space between city sidewalks and streets after residents were finished.