MORGANTOWN — A Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled over on Interstate 68 just before the Cheat Lake bridge at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
One woman was transported to the hospital, Cheat Lake VFD Chief Jason Christopher said.
The right lane was closed while the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department investigated, and the vehicle — which landed on the driver’s side facing west — was towed.
The rollover was likely caused by the rain, Christopher said.
“Every time it rains heavy, someone lands in that spot,” he said.
Morgantown has seen 42 inches of rain so far this year, according to Dave Bow-ers, senior meteorologist with Accuweather. That’s 10 inches above normal for this time of year, he said.
Christopher said rain pools against the jersey barriers before cutting across the road, causing motorists to hydroplane.
A sign for Exit 10 used to be located near the road and Christopher said the accidents would frequently take it out or damage it, so several years ago, the sign was moved farther back from the road.
The state tried to help by cutting away some inlets about a year ago but it didn’t help, Christopher said.
Wednesday won’t bring an end to the rain thanks to a large cold front from Chicago into Texas that will be passing through Morgantown, Bowers said. It should be about 73 degrees, cloudy, and humid with more showers.
“You could even get another drenching thunderstorm,” Bowers said.
On Wednesday night, the temperature could drop to almost 50.
Bowers said the forecast for Thursday is dry with lots of clouds and a high of 71 before another chance at rain Thursday night.
Sunshine will probably make an appearance Friday, which should be a comfortable day with a high of 74 before a weekend of “good football weather,” Bowers said.
He said temperatures are expected to be 74 on Saturday and 70 on Sunday, dropping to the 50s or even high 40s at night. It should be dry on both days.
Flooding in the Richard area was also reported Tuesday.
Tweet Will Dean @WillDean_DP; wdean@domininionpost.com; email Ben Conley at bconley@dominionpost.com.
