HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Wednesday’s storm toppled everything from trash cans to trees. The high winds weren't the only problem. A soaking, day-long rain caused flooding that forced some schools to let out early.

In the middle of January, you expect to need snow boots and parkas, not umbrellas. When the storm started in downtown Huntington Wednesday morning, folks were lucky if they could keep hold of their umbrellas.

Along Sheppard Drive in Huntington, neighbors barricaded themselves inside, worried about trees falling.

“I just closed the curtains and said a prayer,” Ramona Gladden said. “That's all I can do.”

One of them did just that.

“I thought the whole house was damaged,” homeowner Jimmy Adkins said. “The whole back of the house. Cause she said there was glass everywhere.”

Luckily, most of the damage was contained to a sun porch, and no one was hurt.

As the rain continued all afternoon, creeks started to rise in eastern Kentucky.

Lawrence County (Ky.) Schools decided to dismiss an hour early to make sure kids got home safe.

“We hate missing any school time, but when it comes to safety of kids and getting them home in an expedient manner, we want to make sure everyone gets home as safe as possible and before dark,” Fallsburg Elementary Principal Jamie Lester said. “So the district decided to dismiss school one hour early in the interest of kids safety.”

One woman we saw couldn't even drive to her home. She was forced to scurry across a nearly water-covered bridge to beat the rising waters.