Storming Heaven opens in the year 1890 with C. J. Marcum, who is sitting with his friend Dillon Lloyd near his family’s farm in Justice County, West Virginia. C. J. lives with his grandfather Henry Marcum, whom he calls Pawpaw, and his grandmother, Mamaw. He often travels to the Lloyd farm at night to spend time with Dillon. Earlier that night, Dillon’s brother Clabe and his wife Vernie gave birth to a son, Rondal. A few months earlier, the railroad came in and purchased several families’ land in the area. C. J.’s grandfather refused to sign the papers and sell over his land, but Vernie signed the papers for the Lloyd family.

At first, the families are able to continue living on their land, but two years later, the railroads sell the land to the coal companies. Omar Kane, the sheriff of Justice County, tells everyone that they have to move, and refuses to listen to Henry Marcum who claims he never sold his land. Shortly after, Henry shoots himself. C. J. and his grandmother move to Justice Farm, a large plot of land owned by Henry’s cousin, Ermel, that the coal companies haven’t been able to take over.