From the National Weather Service Offfice in Blacksburg: Flash Flood Watch in effect through Wednesday morning… The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Flash Flood Watch for portions of North Carolina and Virginia…including the following in North …Carolina… Alleghany NC… Ashe… Caswell… Rockingham… Stokes… Surry… Watauga… Wilkes and Yadkin. In Virginia… Alleghany… Amherst… Bath… Bedford… Botetourt… Campbell… Carroll… Craig… Floyd… Franklin… Grayson… Halifax… Henry… Montgomery… Patrick… Pittsylvania… Pulaski… Roanoke… Rockbridge and Wythe. Numerous showers and isolated thunderstorms with moderate to heavy rain are expected today and tonight.
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Rainfall rates above one inch per hour are likely due to the very high moisture content of the air mass over the region. The ground was already saturated from widespread rainfall over the past several days. The additional rain today and tonight may produce flash flooding along small streams and creeks. Small streams and creeks may quickly rise out of their banks due to heavy rainfall. Underpasses and other poor drainage locations may also rapidly flood when heavy rain falls over a short amount of time. Also…as this rainfall runs off the saturated ground…larger mainstem rivers will also rise. However…flooding of main Stem rivers is less certain at this time. Precautionary/preparedness actions… A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.
