Heavy Rain in Virginia, February 4 to 6, 1998

Name: Heavy Rain in Virginia, February 4 to 6, 1998
Start: 1998-02-04T00:00
End: 1998-02-06T12:00
Location: Virginia

February 4 to 6, 1998 · NWS AKQ · 52 events in 52 counties and zones

A Nor'easter produced heavy rain and strong winds across central and eastern Virginia from Tuesday, February 3rd through Thursday, February 5th. 5 inch range) occurring across portions of the Hampton Roads and Virginia Eastern Shore into the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 52 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 52

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS AKQ wrote it up.

A Nor'easter produced heavy rain and strong winds across central and eastern Virginia from Tuesday, February 3rd through Thursday, February 5th. Rainfall totals generally ranged from 2 to 4 inches across most of the region, with the heaviest amounts (in the 5 to 7.5 inch range) occurring across portions of the Hampton Roads and Virginia Eastern Shore into the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. All mainstem rivers in the AKQ HSA reached or exceeded flood stage as a result of this event. However...no major mainstem river flood problems occurred. Heavy rain caused many urban flood/poor drainage flood problems across virtually the entire area. Most jurisdictions had at least a few roads closed due to high water.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

52 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Accomack

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Accomack County, (Wal)wallops Is
Coordinates: 37.765, -75.757 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Amelia

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Amelia County, Amelia
Coordinates: 37.336, -77.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Brunswick

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Brunswick County, Brunswick
Coordinates: 36.765, -77.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Caroline

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Caroline County, Bowling Green
Coordinates: 38.027, -77.347 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Charles City (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Charles City (C) County, Charles City
Coordinates: 37.354, -77.059 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Chesapeake (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Chesapeake (C) County, Chesapeake
Coordinates: 36.688, -76.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Chesterfield

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Chesterfield County, Chesterfield
Coordinates: 37.379, -77.587 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Colonial Heights (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Colonial Heights (C) County, Colonial Hgts
Coordinates: 37.244, -77.410 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Cumberland

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Cumberland County, Cumberland
Coordinates: 37.512, -78.245 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Dinwiddie

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Dinwiddie County, Dinwiddie
Coordinates: 37.076, -77.632 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Emporia

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Emporia County, Emporia
Coordinates: 36.686, -77.542 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Essex

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Essex County, Tappahannock
Coordinates: 37.939, -76.941 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Fluvanna

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Fluvanna County, Palmyra
Coordinates: 37.842, -78.277 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Franklin (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Franklin (C) County, Franklin
Coordinates: 36.678, -76.922 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Gloucester

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Gloucester County, Gloucester
Coordinates: 37.401, -76.523 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Goochland

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Goochland County, Goochland
Coordinates: 37.722, -77.916 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Greensville

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Greensville County, Skippers
Coordinates: 36.676, -77.560 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Hampton (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Hampton (C) County, Hampton
Coordinates: 37.063, -76.333 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Hanover

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Hanover County, Ashland
Coordinates: 37.760, -77.491 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Henrico

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Henrico County, Short Pump
Coordinates: 37.458, -77.296 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Hopewell (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Hopewell (C) County, Hopewell
Coordinates: 37.304, -77.287 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Isle of Wight

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Isle of Wight County, Isle of Wight
Coordinates: 36.907, -76.709 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, James City

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: James City County, Jamestown
Coordinates: 37.313, -76.774 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, King and Queen

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: King and Queen County, King & Queen Church
Coordinates: 37.719, -76.895 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, King William

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: King William County, King William
Coordinates: 37.707, -77.088 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Lancaster

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Lancaster County, Lancaster
Coordinates: 37.702, -76.420 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Louisa

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Louisa County, Louisa
Coordinates: 37.978, -77.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Lunenburg

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Lunenburg County, Lunenburg
Coordinates: 36.946, -78.241 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Mathews

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Mathews County, Mathews
Coordinates: 37.417, -76.271 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Mecklenburg

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Mecklenburg County, South Hill
Coordinates: 36.680, -78.363 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Middlesex

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Middlesex County, Church View
Coordinates: 37.597, -76.578 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, New Kent

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: New Kent County, New Kent
Coordinates: 37.505, -76.997 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Newport News (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Newport News (C) County, Newport News
Coordinates: 37.063, -76.508 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Norfolk (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Norfolk (C) County, Norfolk
Coordinates: 36.891, -76.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Northampton

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Northampton County, Willis Wharf
Coordinates: 37.301, -75.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Northumberland

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Northumberland County, Heathsville
Coordinates: 37.882, -76.472 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Nottoway

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Nottoway County, Blackstone
Coordinates: 37.143, -78.051 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Petersburg (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Petersburg (C) County, Petersburg
Coordinates: 37.228, -77.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Portsmouth (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Portsmouth (C) County, Portsmouth
Coordinates: 36.837, -76.308 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Powhatan

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Powhatan County, Powhatan
Coordinates: 37.550, -77.915 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Prince Edward

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Prince Edward County, Farmville
Coordinates: 37.224, -78.441 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Prince George

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Prince George County, Prince George
Coordinates: 37.187, -77.224 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Richmond

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Richmond County, Warsaw
Coordinates: 37.937, -76.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Richmond (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Richmond (C) County, Richmond
Coordinates: 37.554, -77.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Southampton

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Southampton County, Courtland
Coordinates: 36.720, -77.106 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Suffolk (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Suffolk (C) County, Suffolk
Coordinates: 36.709, -76.608 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Surry

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Surry County, Surry
Coordinates: 37.117, -76.888 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Sussex

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Sussex County, Wakefield
Coordinates: 36.922, -77.262 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Virginia Beach (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Virginia Beach (C) County, Virginia Beach
Coordinates: 36.738, -76.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Westmoreland

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Westmoreland County, Westmoreland
Coordinates: 38.113, -76.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Williamsburg (C)

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Williamsburg (C) County, Williamsburg
Coordinates: 37.271, -76.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, York

When: February 4, 12:00 AM EST to February 6, 12:00 PM EST
Where: York County, Poquoson
Coordinates: 37.225, -76.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Rain: Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Virginia in 1998 Every state in 1998 This day in weather history Warnings in Virginia, February 1998

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5639579, 5639580, 5639581, 5639582, 5639583, 5639584, 5639585, 5639586, 5639587, 5639685, 5639686, 5639687, 5639688, 5639689, 5639690, 5639691, 5639692, 5639693, 5639694, 5639695, 5639696, 5639697, 5639698, 5639699, 5639700, 5639701, 5639702, 5639703, 5639704, 5639705, 5639706, 5639707, 5639708, 5639709, 5639710, 5639711, 5639712, 5639713, 5639714, 5639715, and more.