Alert archive / Virginia / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 4, NWS Blacksburg, VA

July 7, 2026Henry County, Patrick County, Virginia

NWS Blacksburg, VA issued this flash flood warning at Jul 7, 2026, 12:15 AM EDT for Henry County, Patrick County, Virginia. It was in force for 2 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: Jul 7, 2026, 12:15 AM EDT (04:15 UTC)
Expired: Jul 7, 2026, 2:15 AM EDT
In force: 2 hr
Issued by: NWS Blacksburg, VA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Flood severity: None

Counties Henry County, VA, Patrick County, VA

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, 4.3 hours before the alert went out and 71 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: 472 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -45 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1207 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 15 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 23 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 40 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

052 
WGUS51 KRNK 070415
FFWRNK
VAC089-141-070715-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FF.W.0004.260707T0415Z-260707T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1215 AM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Western Henry County in south central Virginia...
  Patrick County in southwestern Virginia...

* Until 315 AM EDT.

* At 1215 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain
  have fallen. 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...
  Stuart, Woolwine, Spencer, Bassett, Patrick Springs, Critz, Buffalo
  Ridge, Sanville, Charity, Penns Store, Fairy Stone State Park,
  Philpott Dam, Rocky Knob Recreation Area, Horse Pasture and
  Stanleytown.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 3681 8005 3680 8004 3679 8004 3679 8003
      3678 8003 3678 8001 3680 8001 3680 7996
      3655 7995 3659 8045 3683 8033

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

RWH

1 follow-up statement

276 
WGUS71 KRNK 070615
FFSRNK

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
215 AM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026

VAC089-141-070625-
/O.CAN.KRNK.FF.W.0004.000000T0000Z-260707T0715Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Henry VA-Patrick VA-
215 AM EDT Tue Jul 7 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR WESTERN HENRY AND PATRICK
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 3681 8005 3680 8004 3679 8004 3679 8003
      3678 8003 3678 8001 3680 8001 3680 7996
      3655 7995 3659 8045 3683 8033

$$

RWH

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 6, 7:20 PM EDT, 4 hours 55 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

Key Messages 1: Periods of shower and thunderstorm activity will persist through much of this week.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 6, 7:20 PM EDT, 4 hours 55 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
Issued by National Weather Service Raleigh NC
720 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Aviation and Forecast Discussion Updated.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
Key Messages 1: Periods of shower and thunderstorm activity
will persist through much of this week.
&&

.DISCUSSION...

Key Message 1: Periods of shower and thunderstorm activity
will persist through much of this week.

KRNK sounding shows a PWAT of 1.63 inches this morning, which is
statistically above the 90th percentile climatologically for
this time of the year. Given this above normal PWATs, afternoon
shower and thunderstorm activity will be able to produce
extremely efficient rainfall rates across the region, with warm
rain processes likely occurring with some storm activity. While
a surface stationary front is situated north of the region
across the Pennsylvania and Maryland border today, there is a
mid level shortwave disturbance that is west of the region
across western Tennessee and Arkansas today that will provide
some divergence aloft across the region.

Also visible satellite shows a mid-level cloud deck that has moved
across areas primarily west of the Blue Ridge. This cloud deck
is moving towards the northeast, and has halted daytime heating
over regions it has moved over. This will lead to some
complications in development of instability through this
afternoon as surface heating has become limited. Out east across
the Piedmonts of VA/NC, clear skies have allowed temperatures
to currently reach the low 90s, which will certainly support
thunderstorm activity today. Given this trend, there is some
uncertainty in storm development for this afternoon, especially
with CAM guidance such as the HRRR, RRFS, NAM3K, and others
showing developing storms where the aforementioned mid level
cloud deck is limiting instability. Regardless, SBCAPE values in
the 2000 J/Kg range have already developed across eastern
portions of the forecast area based off of the SPC mesoanalys is
suggesting that enough instability exists for storms to feed
off of through the afternoon and evening.

The main threat with these storms will likely be localized flash
flooding with the PWATs mentioned above; however, strong gusty
winds up to 60 mph can’t be ruled out, especially across the
Piedmont where DCAPE values are still in t he 700-800 J/Kg
range. With the PWATs mentioned above, rainfall rates in the 2-4
inch per hour rate will be common, and localized areas may see
totals up to 3-4 inches each day this week with storms that
develop and start training or get hung up on the terrain of the
Blue Ridge.

As the aforementioned shortwave disturbance slowly pushes east on
Tuesday and Wednesday, it will continue to lead to increased
divergence aloft and forcing for ascent across the region. This
will continue to provide support for shower and thunderstorm
activity both days with a low potential for organized severe
activity given the lack of deep layer shear, with only 10-15
knots of 0-6km shear forecast. Storm motions will also likely be
this slow, which will only exacerbate the flash flood
potential, especially since PWATs are expected to remain above
the 90th percentile.

Overall, expect daily scattered to isolated shower and thunderstorm
coverage across the region, with the potential for some
localized flash flooding. Temperatures look to remain near
seasonal values through the middle of the week, with hotter
temperatures in the mid to upper 90s returning for the Piedmont
by the end of the work week.

Looking ahead to this coming weekend, another cold front looks to
approach from the northwest, which will likely bring continued
and increased coverage of showers and thunderstorms across the
region.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...

Mainly VFR this evening outside any showers/storms that are widely
scattered. Higher confidence in BCB having a storm in the 00-01z,
time frame with others at PROB30. Showers fade after 04z, and
potential exists for sub-VFR cigs/vsbys late tonight with increased
low level moisture. Higher confidence at LWB/BCB having IFR or lower
cigs/vsbys.

VFR after 14z Tuesday with more scattering of storms in the
afternoon.

Winds stay light and mainly southwest to northwest outside any
storms.

EXTENDED AVIATION OUTLOOK…

Scattered, mainly afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms
could continue for each day through the remainder of this week.
Heavy downpours, gusty winds, and sub-VFR conditions are all
possible in any of the stronger storms.
Otherwise, most of the time will feature VFR ceilings and
visibilities except for any restrictions during convection or at
night with any river valley fog.

&&

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

&&

DISCUSSION...EB
AVIATION...WP

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 6, 2:37 PM EDT, 9 hours 38 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
Issued by National Weather Service Raleigh NC
237 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

NCZ002>006-019-020-VAZ013-014-016>020-022>024-032>035-043>047-058-
059-071845-
Alleghany NC-Surry-Stokes-Rockingham-Caswell-Wilkes-Yadkin-Pulaski-
Montgomery-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke-Botetourt-
Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst-Henry-Pittsylvania-
Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Halifax-Charlotte-
237 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 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...This afternoon and tonight.

Widely scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop this
afternoon and evening. A few storms may produce damaging wind gusts
and very heavy rain that may result in localized flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Thunderstorms will again develop on Tuesday, and will be capable of
producing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain that may result in
localized flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ001-018-VAZ007-009>012-015-WVZ042>044-507-508-071845-
Ashe-Watauga-Tazewell-Smyth-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Grayson-Mercer-Summers-
Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier-Western Greenbrier-
237 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina,
southwest Virginia and southeast West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Scattered thunderstorms will continue to develop this afternoon and
evening, with a few becoming capable of producing damaging wind gusts
and very heavy rain that may result in localized flash flooding.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday.

Thunderstorms will again develop on Tuesday, and will be capable of
producing damaging wind gusts and very heavy rain that may result in
localized flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 8:24 PM EDT, 3 hours 51 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
824 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

VAZ034-035-045-070045-
Amherst VA-Campbell VA-Bedford VA-
824 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN BEDFORD...AND SOUTHWESTERN AMHERST COUNTIES AND THE CITY
OF LYNCHBURG THROUGH 845 PM EDT...

At 822 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Boonsboro, or near Forest, 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. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Lynchburg...
Forest...
Big Island...
Coleman Falls...
Boonsboro...
Goode...
and Sedalia.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3729 7940 3747 7950 3761 7922 3736 7908
TIME...MOT...LOC 0022Z 246DEG 7KT 3743 7934

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

RWH

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 8:26 PM EDT, 3 hours 49 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
826 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

WVZ043-070100-
Summers WV-
826 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
CENTRAL SUMMERS COUNTY THROUGH 900 PM EDT...

At 825 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Ellison, or over Pipestem, moving north 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. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Hinton...
Pipestem...
Ellison...
Buck...
Bluestone State Park...
Jumping Branch...
and Pipestem Resort State Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3770 8091 3769 8090 3767 8090 3768 8088
      3771 8089 3768 8074 3747 8087 3749 8095
      3758 8108 3760 8108 3761 8106 3763 8107
      3764 8107 3769 8098 3772 8097 3772 8095
TIME...MOT...LOC 0025Z 195DEG 8KT 3757 8096

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

RWH

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 8:37 PM EDT, 3 hours 38 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
837 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

VAZ023-034-070100-
Botetourt VA-Bedford VA-
837 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHWESTERN BEDFORD AND SOUTHEASTERN BOTETOURT COUNTIES THROUGH 900
PM EDT...

At 836 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Montvale, 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. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Buchanan...
Troutville...
Montvale...
Nace...
Arcadia...
Peaks Of Otter Summit...
and Springwood.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3728 7967 3743 7993 3763 7968 3742 7942
TIME...MOT...LOC 0036Z 224DEG 8KT 3740 7969

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

RWH

Special weather statement, Jul 6, 8:57 PM EDT, 3 hours 18 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service BLACKSBURG VA
Issued by National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
857 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

VAZ046-047-070130-
Buckingham VA-Appomattox VA-
857 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT
NORTHEASTERN APPOMATTOX AND SOUTHWESTERN BUCKINGHAM COUNTIES THROUGH
930 PM EDT...

At 857 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Hixburg, or 8 miles east of Appomattox, 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. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Hixburg...
Sheppards...
and Appomattox National Historic Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3735 7846 3733 7852 3735 7853 3735 7855
      3736 7856 3737 7858 3738 7858 3738 7859
      3739 7858 3740 7859 3734 7860 3732 7863
      3728 7867 3739 7882 3752 7870 3737 7844
TIME...MOT...LOC 0057Z 224DEG 8KT 3739 7868

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

RWH

Local storm report, Jul 6, 10:02 PM EDT, 2 hours 13 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1002 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0952 PM     Flood            3 WSW Matoaka           37.39N 81.30W
07/06/2026                   Mercer             WV   911 Call Center

            Crane Creek Road washed out by the mines.

&&

WHP

Local storm report, Jul 6, 11:07 PM EDT, 1 hour 8 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
1107 PM EDT Mon Jul 6 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0952 PM     Flash Flood      3 NW Montcalm           37.38N 81.28W
07/06/2026                   Mercer             WV   911 Call Center

            Crane Creek overflowed its banks closing
            Crane Creek Road near Newhall Road.

&&

WHP

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 6, 8:24 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	City of Lynchburg	21 min
Jul 6, 8:33 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Roanoke, City of Roanoke, City of Salem	73 min
Jul 6, 8:37 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Botetourt	23 min
Jul 6, 8:49 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Bedford, Botetourt	38 min
Jul 6, 8:57 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Appomattox	33 min
Jul 6, 11:32 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Henry, Pittsylvania, City of Danville	3 hr
Jul 7, 12:00 AM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Patrick	2 hr
Jul 7, 2:24 AM EDT	Flood Watch	RNK	Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte and 7 more	20 hr
Jul 7, 3:16 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Amherst, Bedford, City of Lynchburg	44 min
Jul 7, 4:03 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	City of Lynchburg	27 min
Jul 7, 4:13 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Pittsylvania	32 min
Jul 7, 4:32 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell, City of Lynchburg	110 min
Jul 7, 4:36 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Appomattox	39 min
Jul 7, 4:50 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Halifax	25 min
Jul 7, 5:35 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Halifax	25 min
Jul 7, 5:48 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax	57 min
Jul 7, 6:20 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax	3 hr
Jul 7, 6:32 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Charlotte, Halifax	38 min
Jul 7, 6:45 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	RNK	Franklin	45 min
Jul 7, 7:06 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	RNK	Franklin, Henry, Pittsylvania	54 min
Jul 7, 7:08 PM EDT	Areal Flood Advisory	RNK	Franklin	2 hr

Nearby

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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive.