Water surrounds the Mill Branch Covered Bridge and a small building on the south end of the Barlow Fairgrounds after heavy rain Tuesday morning caused a branch of Wolf Creek to overflow its bank. Several tributaries of Wolf Creek were overflowing, including one that covered a small section of Ohio 676 near Watertown with water. (Photo by Art Smith)

PARKERSBURG — Most of the Mid-Ohio Valley is under a flood warning.

The warning, which will be in effect until 7:45 p.m. this evening, is calling for the possibility of flooding caused by excessive rainfall, the National Weather Service reported in its warning issued at 12:20 p.m.

The warning covers portions of southeast Ohio, West Virginia and northeast Kentucky, including Meigs and Washington County in Ohio and Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties in West Virginia.

The weather service said flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations was imminent or was already occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from rainfall. Low-water crossings may be inundated with water and may not be passable.

Between 0.5 and 2 inches of rain have fallen, and additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible in the warned area.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Parkersburg, Belpre, Point Pleasant, St. Marys, Pomeroy, Middlebourne, Vienna, Ravenswood and Paden City.

People are advised to avoid flooded roadways as most flood deaths occur in vehicles, the weather service reported.