After a brief boost to West Virginia industry during the international energy crises of the 1970s, coal mining and manufacturing began slumping badly again in the 1980s and have never fully recovered.

Meanwhile, in 1985, West Virginia was hit by one of its worst natural disasters. In early November 1985, a powerful storm system caused deadly flooding. Heavy rain started falling on November 3 and continued through the next day, especially in the mountains. Some areas received 4 to 8 inches of rain in just 24 hours.

By the night of November 4, rivers were rising fast. Floodwaters hit towns like Parsons, Glenville, Philippi, Marlinton, Moorefield (pictured), and Petersburg especially hard. The Cheat, Greenbrier, Little Kanawha, and South Branch of the Potomac rivers all rose to record levels. In total, 47 West Virginians died, with Pendleton and Grant counties hit hardest.

Sadly, many other deadly storms and floods have continued to plague West Virginia in the years since.