Alert archive / West Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 37, NWS Blacksburg, VA

August 27, 2026Giles County, Virginia; Mercer County, Monroe County, Summers County, West Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 27, 2026, 11:17 PM EDT for Giles County, Virginia; Mercer County, Monroe County, Summers County, West Virginia. It was in force for 2 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued: Aug 27, 2026, 11:17 PM EDT (03:17 UTC)
Expired: Aug 28, 2026, 1:18 AM EDT
In force: 2 hr
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Giles County, VA, Mercer County, WV, Monroe County, WV, Summers County, WV

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 66 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 03:18 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.

What was reported inside it

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Aug 28, 12:17 AM EDT	FLASH FLOOD	Rich Creek, VA	Water flowing across US 460 in the town of Rich Creek.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 60 minutes after it went out.

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, 3.3 hours before the alert went out and 120 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.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 1348 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -17 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 952 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 27 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 38 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 44 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.1
Supercell composite: 1.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

720 
WGUS51 KRNK 280317
FFWRNK
VAC071-WVC055-063-089-280615-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0037.260828T0317Z-260828T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1117 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Giles County in southwestern Virginia...
  East Central Mercer County in southeastern West Virginia...
  Southwestern Monroe County in southeastern West Virginia...
  Southeastern Summers County in southeastern West Virginia...

* Until 215 AM EDT.

* At 1117 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Up to 1 inch of rain has fallen.
  Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the
  warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  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...
  Narrows, Peterstown, Rich Creek, Glen Lyn, Bozoo, Red Sulphur
  Spring and Lindside.

This includes the following streams and drainages...
  Dry Creek, Brush Creek, Blue Lick Creek, Hales Branch, Indian
  Creek, Back Creek, Adair Run, East River, Crooked Creek, Dixon
  Branch, Big Spring Branch and Hans Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the
dangers of flooding.

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 3731 8092 3740 8099 3745 8089 3743 8086
      3749 8082 3754 8072 3756 8067 3744 8056
      3728 8090

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

as

1 follow-up statement

500 
WGUS71 KRNK 280518
FFSRNK

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
118 AM EDT Fri Aug 28 2026

VAC071-WVC055-063-089-280528-
/O.CAN.KRNK.FF.W.0037.000000T0000Z-260828T0615Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Giles VA-Mercer WV-Monroe WV-Summers WV-
118 AM EDT Fri Aug 28 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN GILES, EAST
CENTRAL MERCER, SOUTHWESTERN MONROE AND SOUTHEASTERN SUMMERS
COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flood waters have receded. Flooding is no
longer expected to pose a threat. Please continue to heed remaining
road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3731 8092 3740 8099 3745 8089 3743 8086
      3749 8082 3754 8072 3756 8067 3744 8056
      3728 8090

$$

as

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 27, 7:44 PM EDT, 3 hours 33 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

1) Potential strong storms Friday. Damaging winds and localized flooding possible. 2) Heat builds into next week.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 27, 7:44 PM EDT, 3 hours 33 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
744 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Storms this evening and again Friday may pose a severe wind
threat, along with very heavy rainfall.

Aviaton updated.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Potential strong storms Friday. Damaging winds and localized
flooding possible.

2) Heat builds into next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1: Potential strong storms Friday. Damaging winds
and localized flooding possible.

Storms have already begun to develop west of the Blue Ridge and
coverage of storms will likely increase through this evening in
response to a subtle wave and a slow-moving frontal boundary
within the region. Moderate surface heating and increasing dew
points into the upper 60s has resulted in MLCAPE/SBCAPE now
approaching 1500 J/kg. Further destabilization throughout the
remainder of the afternoon will allow storms to increase in
coverage across the mountains. PWAT values are not particularly
high (around 1.50" or less) but nearly stationary storms will
still pose a localized flooding threat through this evening.
Shear remains weak, so organized convection remains a lower
risk, but multicell clusters and cell mergers later this
afternoon/evening may introduce a damaging wind threat for a
few hours.

Friday, the front slows and stalls somewhere across the VA/NC
Piedmont/Foothills, as several vorts track from the TN Valley to
the east coast. Looks like better severe threat appears to stay
east of the mountains, with more instability but will depend on
cloud coverage early in the day. If sunshine is plentiful expect
moderate to potentially strong instability east/southeast of the
front where upper 60s to low 70s dewpoints will be present.
Lapse rates will be quite weak, but most guidance shows
temperatures warming into the low to mid 80s which should
provide pockets of moderate to strong instability. Any storms
that can take advantage of the a stronger flow aloft may be
longer- lived and capable of some damaging wind gusts.

KEY MESSAGE 2: Heat builds into next week.

A strong upper ridge begins to build by early next week. Above
normal temperatures appear likely as the ridge remains in place
through at least the middle of next week. As such with strong
ridging, rain/storm chances will become limited.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z FRIDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
DAN/BCB may continue to see -SHRA with an occasional strike of
lightning. BLF and LWB may see a shower, but not enough
confidence to include in the TAFs. Any storms could bring lower
vsbys and cigs and gusty winds.

Tonight, models showing more potential for fog but still depends
on lingering cloud cover and if it rains at/near the terminal.
Could have IFR or worse vsbys at LWB/BCB, then maybe MVFR at
BLF/LYH/DAN. However, confidence in this remains rather low as
of this update.

A cold front moves through the area overnight and into early
tomorrow morning before stalling somewhere in east VA. PoPs have
increased for ROA, LYH, and DAN tomorrow afternoon and evening
where convergence will be highest along that part of the front.
Have included -TSRA for these terminals.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK...

The weekend into early next week appears drier with warmer
temperatures. VFR expected outside any late night fog.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...None.
NC...None.
WV...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...BMG/SH/WP
AVIATION...BMG/SH/WP

Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 27, 5:05 AM EDT, 18 hours 12 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
505 AM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

NCZ001>006-018>020-VAZ012>017-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-280915-
Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Watauga-Wilkes-
Yadkin-Wythe-Pulaski-Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Roanoke-
Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-
Pittsylvania-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-
505 AM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

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.

A few severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts
and large hail are possible this afternoon and evening. Localized
flooding from torrential rain is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Isolated strong to severe storms are possible Friday. Damaging winds
and localized flooding are the main threats.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

VAZ007-009>011-018>020-WVZ042>044-507-508-280915-
Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Mercer-Summers-
Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
505 AM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia, west
central Virginia and southeast West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A few severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging wind gusts
and large hail are possible this afternoon and evening. Localized
flooding from torrential rain is also possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be needed.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 27, 7:45 PM EDT, 3 hours 32 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
745 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

VAZ024-035-280030-
Amherst VA-Rockbridge VA-
745 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN ROCKBRIDGE AND NORTHWESTERN AMHERST COUNTIES...THE CITY
OF BUENA VISTA AND THE CITY OF LEXINGTON THROUGH 830 PM EDT...

At 745 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Rockbridge Baths, moving southeast at 15 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...
Lexington...
Buena Vista...
Rockbridge Baths...
Cornwall...
Alto...
Fairfield...
and Oronoco.

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 3795 7924 3792 7919 3788 7915 3785 7915
      3782 7916 3780 7917 3781 7915 3768 7926
      3777 7948 3789 7949 3796 7946 3796 7932
TIME...MOT...LOC 2345Z 302DEG 12KT 3788 7939

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

EB

Special weather statement, Aug 27, 10:20 PM EDT, 57 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1020 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

VAZ045>047-280245-
Buckingham VA-Campbell VA-Appomattox VA-
1020 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT
APPOMATTOX...NORTHEASTERN CAMPBELL AND SOUTHWESTERN BUCKINGHAM
COUNTIES THROUGH 1045 PM EDT...

At 1019 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Tower Hill, or near Bent Creek, moving southwest
at 15 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...
Appomattox...
Bent Creek...
Concord...
Appomattox National Historic Park...
Stonewall...
Oakville...
and Spout Spring.

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 3723 7875 3734 7906 3750 7893 3750 7892
      3752 7889 3753 7890 3753 7888 3754 7886
      3754 7883 3756 7882 3756 7880 3751 7866
TIME...MOT...LOC 0219Z 023DEG 14KT 3748 7880

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AS

Special weather statement, Aug 27, 10:27 PM EDT, 50 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1027 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

NCZ002-003-019-280300-
Surry NC-Wilkes NC-Alleghany NC-
1027 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
EASTERN ALLEGHANY...WEST CENTRAL SURRY AND NORTHEASTERN WILKES
COUNTIES IN NORTHWESTERN NORTH CAROLINA THROUGH 1100 PM EDT...

At 1027 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Traphill, moving northeast at 10 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...
Traphill...
Mountain Park...
Roaring Gap...
Stone Mountain State Park...
Abshers...
Glade Valley...
and Benham.

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 3632 8118 3657 8107 3644 8078 3622 8098
TIME...MOT...LOC 0227Z 209DEG 11KT 3635 8105

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AS

Special weather statement, Aug 27, 10:46 PM EDT, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
1046 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

VAZ011-WVZ042>044-280315-
Giles VA-Mercer WV-Summers WV-Monroe WV-
1046 PM EDT Thu Aug 27 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN GILES...SOUTH CENTRAL SUMMERS...EAST CENTRAL MERCER AND
WESTERN MONROE COUNTIES THROUGH 1115 PM EDT...

At 1046 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Bozoo, or near Peterstown, moving northeast at 35 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...
Peterstown...
Union...
Rich Creek...
Glen Lyn...
Laurel Branch...
Red Sulphur Spring...
and Willowton.

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 3733 8088 3744 8094 3766 8058 3756 8050
      3747 8042
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 242DEG 30KT 3745 8080

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

AS

The office that day

Everything else NWS Blacksburg, VA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Aug 27, 8:32 PM EDT	Flash Flood Warning	RNK	Alleghany, Bath	6 hr
Aug 27, 10:20 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Appomattox	25 min
Aug 27, 10:58 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Giles	19 min
Aug 27, 11:06 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Botetourt, Rockbridge	3 hr
Aug 27, 11:15 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Grayson	2 hr
Aug 27, 11:22 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Alleghany, City of Covington	38 min
Aug 27, 11:32 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Botetourt	28 min
Aug 28, 12:17 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Botetourt, Roanoke, City of Roanoke	3 hr
Aug 27, 10:46 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Monroe	29 min
Aug 27, 11:10 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Monroe	54 min
Aug 27, 11:53 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Greenbrier	37 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in West Virginia, 2026 Flash Flood Warnings in Virginia, 2026 Every 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; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.