Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 25, NWS Blacksburg, VA
NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 2, 2026, 8:07 PM EDT for Tazewell County, Virginia; Mercer County, Summers County, West Virginia. It was in force for 4 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Aug 2, 2026, 8:07 PM EDT (00:07 UTC)
- Expired
- Aug 2, 2026, 11:45 PM EDT
- In force
- 4 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Blacksburg, VA
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
Counties Tazewell County, VA, Mercer County, WV, Summers County, WV
The radar
The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:06 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.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Roanoke, VA (KRNK), launched 00:00Z, 0.1 hours before the alert went out and 149 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
- 661 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -5 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 726 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 21 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 75 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 103 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.2
- Supercell composite
- 4.9
The text
As transmitted.
552
WGUS51 KRNK 030007
FFWRNK
VAC185-WVC055-089-030615-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0025.260803T0007Z-260803T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
807 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
Northern Tazewell County in southwestern Virginia...
Northwestern Mercer County in southeastern West Virginia...
West Central Summers County in southeastern West Virginia...
* Until 215 AM EDT Monday.
* At 807 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain across the warned area. Between 2 and 3 inches of rain
have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1
hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible in
the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Hinton... Matoaka...
Camp Creek... Pocahontas...
Bramwell... Camp Creek State Park...
Flat Top...
This includes the following streams and drainages...
Camp Creek, Glade Branch, Crane Creek, Little Bluestone River,
Jumping Branch, Laurel Fork, Flipping Creek, Big Branch, Bluestone
River and Clark Branch.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of flooding,
including mudslides or flooded roads, to the National Weather
Service by calling toll free at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports
and pictures can also be shared on the National Weather Service
Blacksburg Facebook page and on X.
&&
LAT...LON 3727 8145 3727 8142 3732 8137 3742 8131
3742 8128 3746 8131 3751 8121 3758 8120
3759 8109 3761 8106 3764 8107 3770 8097
3771 8098 3770 8091 3767 8090 3769 8088
3772 8089 3775 8092 3771 8083 3724 8140
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR
$$
CDG1 follow-up statement
964
WGUS71 KRNK 030345
FFSRNK
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1145 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
VAC185-WVC055-089-030355-
/O.CAN.KRNK.FF.W.0025.000000T0000Z-260803T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Tazewell VA-Mercer WV-Summers WV-
1145 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHERN TAZEWELL, NORTHWESTERN MERCER
AND WEST CENTRAL SUMMERS COUNTIES HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLOOD
WARNING...
&&
LAT...LON 3727 8145 3727 8142 3732 8137 3742 8131
3742 8128 3746 8131 3751 8121 3758 8120
3759 8109 3761 8106 3764 8107 3770 8097
3771 8098 3770 8091 3767 8090 3769 8088
3772 8089 3775 8092 3771 8083 3724 8140
$$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 Aug 2, 7:17 PM EDT, 50 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- 1) Flash flood potential remains elevated through late tonight along with marginal risk for strong to severe storms. 2) Unsettled weather continues through much of the week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 2, 7:17 PM EDT, 50 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
717 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
00z Aviation update...
A Flood Watch remains in effect through early Monday morning
for instances of flash flooding.
&&
.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Flash flood potential remains elevated through late tonight
along with marginal risk for strong to severe storms.
2) Unsettled weather continues through much of the week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Flash flood potential remains elevated through
late tonight along with marginal risk for strong to severe
storms.
An anomalous slow moving upper level low centered over the lower
Ohio Valley will continue to plague the forecast area with broad
and impressive synoptic ascent impinging into an abundance of
moisture laden air over the eastern CONUS. Morning 12Z U/A
regional soundings measured PWATs from 1.8 to 2.2 inches, well
above the 90th percentile, and record setting for the date here
at RNK. This environment is ripe for for heavy rainfall within
any convection which develops yielding off the chart kind of
rainfall rates. Forecasters working the Mount Airy Emergency
from last night said radar was estimating rainfall rates in
excess of 5-7 inches an hour. Within 3 hours time between 4-8
inches of rain fell within the headwaters of the Ararat River
basin resulting in Major Flooding in Mt. Airy NC. Extensive
property and road damage was observed in addition to swift water
rescues.
Concern through this evening and into the overnight tonight is
redevelopment of these rain efficient showers and
thunderstorms. Thunderstorm clusters are expected to develop
within an environment supported by moderate instability, surface
dewpoints in the 70s, and PWATs near 2 inches, suggesting main
threat from any storm activity that develops will be from the
potential for excessive rainfall. Although lapse rates will
remain poor and vertical shear weak, water loading may lead to
isolated strong wind gusts. Increasing directional shear around
the upper low may also lead to weak rotation...so an isolated
tornado can't totally be ruled out either, esp for our
neighboring WV counties closer to the Upper Low.
For now will continue to highlight a very broad area for the
Flood Watch. Unlike yesterday when CAMs were highlighting the
southern Blue Ridge. This evening the convergence seems to be
aligning with back edge of cloud field over the western CWA
where dry slot around the upper low has allowed for some
clearing and resultant surface heating and increasing CAPE.
KEY MESSAGE 2...Unsettled weather continues through much of the
week.
The closed low is forecast to gradually settle southeast over
the southern Appalachians Monday into Tuesday before weakening
and filling mid week. Models maintain continued opportunity
for showers and thunderstorms with marginal risk of excessive
rainfall. After mid-week, we still have daily afternoon and
evening thundershower chances, but no real change in airmass. In
general weather will stay moist with surface dewpoints flirting
with 70.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/...
Ceilings will lift from MVFR to VFR as southerly flow
strengthens ahead of an approaching weak cold front. However, a
line of thunderstorms moving in with the front will bring heavy
rainfall that temporarily lowers visibilities. Behind the
frontal passage, dense fog will be possible during the morning
if skies clear sufficiently, though a deck of low clouds with
patchy fog appears more likely, especially across mountain
airport terminals.
EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...
Scattered shower/storm are expected for much of the upcoming
week, but favoring the peak heating hours of the day,
diminishing after sunset. The moisture laden airmass will favor
sub-VFR flight conditions for much of the week. Fog will also be
possible each morning.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Flood Watch through 06Z tonight. Concern exists for excessive
rainfall. Morning 12Z U/A regional soundings measured PWATs from
1.8 to 2.2 inches, well above the 90th percentile, and record
setting for the date here at RNK. This environment is ripe for
for heavy rainfall within any convection which develops yielding
off the chart kind of rainfall rates. Forecasters working the
Mount Airy Emergency from last night said radar was estimating
rainfall rates in excess of 5-7 inches an hour. Within 3 hours
time between 4-8 inches of rain fell within the headwaters of
the Ararat River basin resulting in Major Flooding in Mt. Airy
NC. Extensive property and road damage was observed in addition
to swift water rescues. An observer near Pilot Mountain measured
8.87 inches of rain.
We continue to see a signal for flash flooding this evening due
to a combination of strong mid and upper level forcing and the
moisture laden airmass. Training cells and high rain rates may
result in localized totals of 2 to 4 inches, with higher
amounts possible if the storms become anchored on the terrain.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Monday for VAZ007-009>020-022>024-
032>035-043.
NC...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Monday for NCZ001>004-018>020.
WV...Flood Watch until 2 AM EDT Monday for WVZ042>044-507-508.
&&
DISCUSSION...PM
AVIATION...PM/RCS
HYDROLOGY...PMHazardous weather outlook, Aug 2, 2:51 PM EDT, 5 hours 16 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 251 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026 NCZ001>004-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-022>024-032>035-043-WVZ042>044-507- 508-031900- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Watauga-Wilkes-Yadkin-Tazewell-Smyth- Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig- Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin- Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 251 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, central Virginia, south central Virginia, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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. Thunderstorms this evening may also contain localized damaging wind gusts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Thunderstorms developing each afternoon and evening through Wednesday will be capable of producing frequent lightning, localized damaging wind gusts, and pockets of heavy rain that may result in flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are requested to report hail of any size, as well as any damage caused by thunderstorm winds in their area. NCZ005-006-VAZ044>047-058-059-031900- Rockingham-Caswell-Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham- Halifax-Charlotte- 251 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, central Virginia and south central Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Thunderstorms developing this evening will be capable of producing frequent lightning, localized damaging wind gusts, and pockets of heavy rain that may result in flash flooding. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Thunderstorms developing each afternoon and evening through Wednesday will be capable of producing frequent lightning, localized damaging wind gusts, and pockets of heavy rain that may result in flash flooding. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are requested to report hail of any size, as well as any damage caused by thunderstorm winds in their area.
In the hours before
Special weather statement, Aug 2, 5:40 PM EDT, 2 hours 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
540 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
NCZ001-VAZ009-015-022230-
Ashe NC-Grayson VA-Smyth VA-
540 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN ASHE...CENTRAL SMYTH AND SOUTHWESTERN GRAYSON COUNTIES
THROUGH 630 PM EDT...
At 540 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Mountain City, moving northeast at 25 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...
Marion...
Chilhowie...
Lansing...
Whitetop...
Sugar Grove...
Troutdale...
and Volney.
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 3693 8154 3658 8134 3640 8174 3641 8174
3643 8172 3646 8171 3647 8170 3653 8171
3657 8169 3657 8168 3659 8168 3663 8160
3664 8162 3679 8170 3685 8176
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 230DEG 23KT 3655 8179
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CDGSpecial weather statement, Aug 2, 6:30 PM EDT, 1 hour 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
630 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
WVZ043-508-022315-
Western Greenbrier WV-Summers WV-
630 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
WEST CENTRAL GREENBRIER AND NORTHEASTERN SUMMERS COUNTIES THROUGH 715
PM EDT...
At 630 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Elton, or 7 miles north of Sandstone, moving
northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Rainelle...
Rupert...
Quinwood...
Sandstone...
Bingham...
Elton...
and Lawn.
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 3803 8055 3792 8054 3785 8062 3774 8092
3777 8089 3782 8094 3787 8081 3787 8075
3795 8081 3799 8077 3802 8080 3804 8083
3806 8080 3806 8082 3805 8084 3806 8085
3808 8089 3810 8088 3808 8071 3813 8063
TIME...MOT...LOC 2230Z 246DEG 12KT 3787 8083
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CDGSpecial weather statement, Aug 2, 6:41 PM EDT, 1 hour 26 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
641 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
VAZ007-009-022315-
Tazewell VA-Smyth VA-
641 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN SMYTH AND SOUTHWESTERN TAZEWELL COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM
EDT...
At 640 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Asberrys, or 9 miles southeast of Cedar Bluff, moving northeast at 25
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...
Tazewell...
Cedar Bluff...
Broadford...
Claypool Hill...
Asberrys...
and Cliffield.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.
&&
LAT...LON 3719 8156 3704 8145 3704 8146 3703 8146
3697 8140 3681 8168 3706 8183
TIME...MOT...LOC 2240Z 228DEG 21KT 3699 8163
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
SHSpecial weather statement, Aug 2, 6:45 PM EDT, 1 hour 22 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
645 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
NCZ001-018-VAZ015-022315-
Ashe NC-Watauga NC-Grayson VA-
645 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN WATAUGA...NORTHWESTERN ASHE AND SOUTHWESTERN GRAYSON
COUNTIES THROUGH 715 PM EDT...
At 645 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms near Ashland, moving northeast at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Jefferson...
West Jefferson...
Beech Mountain...
Lansing...
Whitetop...
Sugar Grove...
and Ashland.
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 3630 8191 3636 8180 3634 8177 3634 8171
3636 8172 3641 8174 3643 8172 3646 8171
3647 8170 3653 8171 3660 8167 3662 8162
3664 8160 3666 8157 3643 8140 3619 8186
3619 8188 3623 8191 3626 8189 3629 8192
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 232DEG 20KT 3642 8172
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CDGSpecial weather statement, Aug 2, 7:09 PM EDT, 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
709 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
VAZ007-WVZ042>044-507-508-030000-
Tazewell VA-Western Greenbrier WV-Mercer WV-Summers WV-
Eastern Greenbrier WV-Monroe WV-
709 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN TAZEWELL...SOUTHWESTERN GREENBRIER...SUMMERS...MERCER
AND NORTHWESTERN MONROE COUNTIES THROUGH 800 PM EDT...
At 709 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Flat Top, or near Camp Creek, moving northeast at
30 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.
Locations impacted include...
Princeton...
Hinton...
Rainelle...
Alderson...
Athens...
Rupert...
and Quinwood.
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 3794 8035 3734 8101 3719 8156 3732 8137
3742 8128 3746 8131 3751 8121 3758 8119
3759 8109 3772 8097 3768 8088 3774 8092
3777 8089 3782 8094 3787 8075 3795 8081
3799 8077 3803 8080 3803 8083 3813 8063
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 236DEG 25KT 3757 8111
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
CDGLocal storm report, Aug 2, 7:27 PM EDT, 40 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
727 PM EDT Sun Aug 2 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 W Meadow Bluff 37.90N 80.71W
08/02/2026 Greenbrier WV 911 Call Center
A couple trees down on Farmdale Road, one on
a power line.
&&
SHHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2, 11:45 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RNK | Tazewell | 4 hr |
| Aug 3, 3:00 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Appomattox | 30 min |
| Aug 3, 3:06 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Pittsylvania | 24 min |
| Aug 3, 3:37 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Buckingham | 38 min |
| Aug 3, 5:10 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | RNK | Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte | 3 hr |
| Aug 3, 5:51 PM EDT | Special Weather Statement | RNK | Amherst | 24 min |
| Aug 3, 6:40 PM EDT | Flash Flood Warning | RNK | Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Rockbridge | 3 hr |
| Aug 2, 11:16 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RNK | Mercer | 5 hr |
| Aug 2, 11:44 PM EDT | Areal Flood Warning | RNK | Greenbrier, Summers | 6 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2026Flash 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.