Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 16, NWS Blacksburg, VA
NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 22, 2026, 12:12 PM EDT for Henry County, Pittsylvania County, City of Martinsville, Virginia. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 22, 2026, 12:12 PM EDT (16:12 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 22, 2026, 6:15 PM EDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Blacksburg, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties City of Martinsville, VA, Henry County, VA, Pittsylvania County, VA
The radar
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 57 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:16 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 12:00Z, 4.2 hours before the alert went out and 57 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 357 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -1 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 487 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 40 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -6 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 47 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- -0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.1
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Blacksburg, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 22, 6:28 AM EDT, 5 hours 44 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Organized east/west orientated line of storms looks to develop along and south of the 460 corridor in Virginia, leading to the possibility for some flash flooding, strong damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado through the afternoon and evening hours. 2) Temperatures should turn more seasonable by the middle of the week after a frontal passage.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 22, 6:28 AM EDT, 5 hours 44 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
628 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
A Flood Watch remains in effect through tomorrow for most of the
area along and south of the 460 corridor.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Organized east/west orientated line of storms looks to
develop along and south of the 460 corridor in Virginia, leading
to the possibility for some flash flooding, strong damaging
wind gusts, and an isolated tornado through the afternoon and
evening hours.
2) Temperatures should turn more seasonable by the middle of the
week after a frontal passage.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Organized east/west orientated line of storms
looks to develop along and south of the 460 corridor in
Virginia, leading to the possibility for flash flooding, strong
damaging wind gusts, and an isolated tornado through the
afternoon and evening hours.
The frontal boundary that produced showers and thunderstorms
across portions of the area on Tuesday is expected to lay out in
an east/west orientation in the vicinity of the 460 corridor
today. Recent CAM guidance appears to be in agreement of this
organized line of training storms between the 460 corridor and
the VA/NC border. Given this strong model agreement in CAM
guidance, the flood watch will be continued through the NRV and
surrounding counties and east into the Piedmonts of NC/VA
through Wednesday evening for the potential for flash flooding
in this zone. On the east side of this boundary where the
environment will have more instability to work with, and winds
at the surface look to remain backed, there is the potential for
strong damaging wind gusts and a tornado or two. While the
environment does not look as favorable for severe weather and
tornadoes compared to Tuesday, there is still a risk as deep
layer shear in the 0-6km column remains elevated at around
30-40 knots, 0-3 km SRH values look to remain in the 100 m2/s2
threshold, and SCAPE values look to remain in the 1500-2000 J/Kg
range. These values, while not as impressive as Tuesdays are
still elevated enough to cause concern across Piedmont
locations.
Overall, the largest concern with the aforementioned surface
boundary will be flash flooding as storms look to train in an
east/west orientation through the early morning and afternoon
timeframe. PWATS in the 1.8-2.2 inch range will make for
extremely efficient rainfall rates across the area, making 4-6
inch per hour rates very common. With rates this high, and
storms training, there is a high likelihood that flash flooding
will occur across the aforementioned zone today. It is not out
of the question that a stripe or zone of 2 to locally 5 inches
with higher amounts possible to occur along/north of the VA/NC
border counties today with repeated storms over the same
locations. Not until after sunset do storms start to finally
look to push east into the coastal plain of Virginia and North
Carolina.
KEY MESSAGE 2...Temperatures should turn more seasonable by the
middle of the week after a frontal passage.
After the front finally pushes completely through the area
tonight, the area looks to dry out and cool down for a couple of
days to end the work week. Behind the passage of the front,
upper level troughing looks to settle across the eastern CONUS
through much of the work week. This will keep 500mb heights much
lower across the region leading to overall cooler temperatures.
Surface high pressure coming out of Canada will also lower
dewpoints into the 50s and 60s which will make it feel much more
comfortable outside during the peak heat of the day. Highs look
to only climb into the low to mid 70s across the mountains, and
mid to upper 70s across the Piedmont starting Thursday, and
continuing through Saturday before temperatures look to increase
again on Sunday of next week. Shower and thunderstorm chances
beyond the frontal passage Tuesday night will primarily be
relegated to mountain locations, and look to remain isolated,
where orographical lift can enhance development during peak
heating. While chances look to be minimal on Thursday, they
slowly start to increase on Friday and into the weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY/...
MVFR to IFR restrictions have expanded to include BCB and BLF
this morning, with primarily VFR conditions being observed at
the remaining terminals this morning. Along with these
restrictions, there is a line of heavy showers and thunderstorms
across the area this morning that may lead to brief restrictions
if they move over or near any terminals. CAM guidance has this
line of showers and thunderstorms in a east/west orientation
along the 460 corridor in Virginia, and progressing southeast
throughout the mid morning hours today. This line of storms
looks to dip south towards the VA/NC state line by the late
morning to early afternoon hours. During this time, MVFR to IFR
restrictions will be possible at terminals like BLF, LYH, ROA,
BCB and DAN.
Winds look to remain gusty along this boundary up
to 15-20 knot gusts, while sustained winds look to remain around
5-10 knots during the remainder of the overnight and mid
morning hours. These winds will remain predominantly out of the
southwest through the period before finally transitioning out of
the northwest through the late evening hours of 00 UTC.
These aforementioned scattered showers and thunderstorms look
to linger along and north of the VA/NC border through the
afternoon and evening, likely leading to off and on MVFR to IFR
restrictions and the chances for thunder through at least 03 UTC
at DAN, LYH, BCB, and ROA. Shower activity looks to continue
through the end of the TAF period for DAN. MVFR CIGs look to
also develop during the overnight hours into Thursday morning at
all terminals except ROA and LYH tomorrow.
Forecast confidence is moderate.
EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...
Drier conditions move in for Thursday and Friday, with no rain
chances outside of DAN, though only isolated in coverage. Better
rain chances return for Saturday, and Sunday looks to dry out.
Overnight fog will remain possible each night, particularly at
LWB.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...Flood Watch through this evening for VAZ007-009>018-022-023-
032>035-043>047-058-059.
NC...Flood Watch through this evening for NCZ001>006-018>020.
WV...None.
&&
DISCUSSION...EB
AVIATION...AS/EBHazardous weather outlook, Jul 22, 4:45 AM EDT, 7 hours 27 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 445 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026 VAZ019-020-024-WVZ042>044-507-508-230845- Alleghany VA-Bath-Rockbridge-Mercer-Summers-Monroe- Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier- 445 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. VAZ007-009>011-230845- Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles- 445 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ012>018-022-023-032>035-043>047-058-059-230845- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes- Yadkin-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Roanoke- Botetourt-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania- Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte- 445 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia and west central Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. There is a Marginal Risk (level 1 of 5) for severe weather to include damaging wind gusts and a tornado or two today. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
In the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 22, 8:02 AM EDT, 4 hours 10 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
802 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0732 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NNE Gladys 37.22N 79.05W
07/22/2026 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking both lanes of Winfall
Road.
&&
WPSpecial weather statement, Jul 22, 10:16 AM EDT, 1 hour 56 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1016 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
VAZ044-221445-
Pittsylvania VA-
1016 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
SOUTHERN PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY THROUGH 1045 AM EDT...
At 1016 AM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Swansonville, or near Callands, moving east at 40 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Chatham...
Blairs...
Callands...
Java...
Swansonville...
Dry Fork...
and Sandy River.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 3671 7968 3680 7965 3689 7913 3663 7920
TIME...MOT...LOC 1416Z 270DEG 34KT 3676 7960
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
WPLocal storm report, Jul 22, 10:32 AM EDT, 1 hour 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1032 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0925 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Rainelle 37.97N 80.77W
07/21/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
Two trees down in Rainelle.
&&
SHHLocal storm report, Jul 22, 10:40 AM EDT, 1 hour 32 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1040 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1132 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 SSE Rockbridge Baths 37.84N 79.37W
07/21/2026 Rockbridge VA 911 Call Center
Tree down on Boundary Line Lane off North
Lee Highway.
&&
SHHLocal storm report, Jul 22, 10:45 AM EDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1045 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1056 PM Flash Flood 1 E Rupert 37.95N 80.66W
07/21/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
High water flowing across Midland Trail at
Shawvers Crossing.
&&
WHPLocal storm report, Jul 22, 12:03 PM EDT, 9 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1203 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0205 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Matoaka 37.43N 81.22W
07/21/2026 Mercer WV 911 Call Center
Tree down on Matoaka Rd, near Lashmeet
Matoaka School, and blocking both lanes.
Time is estimate from radar.
0925 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 ENE Rainelle 37.97N 80.77W
07/21/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
Two trees down in Rainelle.
1007 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg Renick 37.98N 80.36W
07/21/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree along
the 4400 block of Spring Creek Road.
1038 PM Flash Flood 1 NW Rupert 37.96N 80.70W
07/21/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
About 2 feet of water up against a house
near the intersection of Nicholas Street and
Central Avenue.
1056 PM Flash Flood 1 E Rupert 37.95N 80.66W
07/21/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
High water flowing across Midland Trail at
Shawvers Crossing.
1132 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 5 SSE Rockbridge Baths 37.84N 79.37W
07/21/2026 Rockbridge VA 911 Call Center
Tree down on Boundary Line Lane off North
Lee Highway.
0421 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 WSW Fieldale 36.69N 80.00W
07/21/2026 Henry VA 911 Call Center
Tree down on road near the intersection of
Preston Road and Wingfield Orchard Road west
of Martinsville. Time is estimate from
radar.
0445 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Martinsville City 36.69N 79.87W
07/21/2026 City of MartinsvillVA 911 Call Center
Sheriffs Office reported numerous trees down
throughout the City of Martinsville.
0302 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Evington 37.26N 79.31W
07/21/2026 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree has fallen and is blocking Evington Rd,
near Evington, VA. Time is estimated from
radar.
0310 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NW Evington 37.25N 79.31W
07/21/2026 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree down across Evington Road close to
Campbell-Bedford County border. Time is
estimate from radar.
0330 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 ESE Rustburg 37.26N 79.03W
07/21/2026 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Power line down on Bear Creek Rd near
Galloway Drive in Rustburg, VA. Time is
estimated from radar.
0338 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 S Lynchburg Airport 37.30N 79.21W
07/21/2026 Campbell VA Public
Tree down near the intersection of Lynbrook
Rd and Nowlins Ct in Campbell County. Time
is estimate from radar.
0732 AM Tstm Wnd Dmg 4 NNE Gladys 37.22N 79.05W
07/22/2026 Campbell VA 911 Call Center
Tree down blocking both lanes of Winfall
Road.
0236 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNW Bedford 37.35N 79.53W
07/21/2026 Bedford VA Trained Spotter
Photo shared of a large uprooted tree near
the intersection of Peaksview St and Peaks
Rd just north of the City of Bedford. Time
is estimate from radar.
0245 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NE Bedford 37.35N 79.51W
07/21/2026 Bedford VA Trained Spotter
Numerous trees down along Longwood Avenue
near Bedford. Time is estimate from radar.
0248 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Goode 37.36N 79.39W
07/21/2026 Bedford VA Public
Social media post showed a picture of downed
tree on top of a cow in the community of
Goode. The cow died as a result. Time
estimate from radar.
0407 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SSE Appomattox 37.33N 78.82W
07/21/2026 Appomattox VA 911 Call Center
Tree on power line reported near the
intersection of Redfields Road and Winter
Hill Lane. Time is estimate from radar.
0411 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NE Evergreen 37.32N 78.76W
07/21/2026 Appomattox VA 911 Call Center
Tree down on Richmond Highway in the
Community of Evergreen near Honey Bee Lane
and Old Evergreen Road. Time is estimate
from radar.
0213 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SW Forks of Buffalo 37.65N 79.22W
07/21/2026 Amherst VA Public
Trees down along Route 635.
&&The office that day
Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 21, 11:28 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RNK | Amherst, Rockbridge | 26 min |
| Jul 22, 12:36 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Buckingham | 24 min |
| Jul 22, 4:35 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Bland, Tazewell | 3 hr |
| Jul 22, 4:54 AM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RNK | Bland, Tazewell | 3 hr |
| Jul 22, 6:04 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Pulaski, Wythe, City of Radford | 26 min |
| Jul 22, 7:23 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Campbell | 37 min |
| Jul 22, 7:26 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Smyth, Wythe | 2 hr |
| Jul 22, 9:27 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Smyth, Wythe | 3 hr |
| Jul 22, 10:16 AM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Pittsylvania | 29 min |
| Jul 22, 11:15 AM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, City of Martinsville | 3 hr |
| Jul 22, 12:13 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Halifax, Pittsylvania, City of Danville | 62 min |
| Jul 22, 12:36 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RNK | Halifax, Pittsylvania | 24 min |
| Jul 22, 2:12 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | City of Danville | 33 min |
| Jul 22, 2:22 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RNK | Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, City of Danville | 4 hr |
| Jul 22, 2:15 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Surry, Wilkes | 30 min |
| Jul 22, 2:48 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Stokes, Surry | 27 min |
| Jul 21, 9:08 PM EDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | RNK | Greenbrier | 67 min |
| Jul 21, 9:17 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RNK | Greenbrier | 28 min |
| Jul 21, 9:36 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Greenbrier | 3 hr |
| Jul 21, 9:48 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RNK | Greenbrier | 27 min |
| Jul 21, 10:06 PM EDT | Tornado Warning | RNK | Greenbrier | 24 min |
| Jul 21, 10:42 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RNK | Greenbrier | 2 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.