Virginia, 2010

Flash Flooding and Flooding in Virginia, September 30, 2010

September 30, 2010 · NWS RNK · 42 events in 10 counties and zones

S. Several weak centers of low pressure formed over the Gulf Coast area from the 26th to 28th and pushed northeast along a stationary boundary bringing very high moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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
$3.1 million
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
42

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 RNK wrote it up.

On the 25th of September, a powerful area of low pressure was located over the southeastern U.S. Several weak centers of low pressure formed over the Gulf Coast area from the 26th to 28th and pushed northeast along a stationary boundary bringing very high moisture from the Gulf and Atlantic Ocean. This deep moisture was pulled northward into the piedmont of the Carolinas and Virginia. A strong southeast flow developed in the low levels of the atmosphere and initiated a significant upslope component formed as well, with the highest amounts of rain falling along and east of the Blue Ridge. Storm total rainfall was greatest along the crest of the Blue Ridge and east into the foothills. This region received three to five inches. A second around of rain began in earnest during the evening hours of the 29th as remains from Tropical Storm Nicole moved across North Carolina and eastern Virginia. Rainfall rates increased during the overnight hours with the heaviest amounts falling from the Blue Ridge eastward. There was a much sharper western cutoff to this precipitation pattern, with very little falling west of the Blue Ridge and heavy rains to the east. The heaviest rains were concentrated from Rockingham County, NC through Henry County, VA and into southern Franklin County, VA. Rainfall rates of 1.0 to 1.5 inches per hour occurred in the same region that received the heaviest amounts rain on the 26th through the 28th. This prompted flash flooding within this region. Precipitation continued through much of the 30th as the remains of Nicole shifted northward. Three day rainfall totals exceeded ten inches over parts of Henry County with widespread three to five inch totals noted east of the crest of the Blue Ridge.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Sep 30, 3:51 AM EST, 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Sep 30, 3:51 AM EST, 24 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
451 AM EDT THU SEP 30 2010

.SYNOPSIS...
LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE NORTH THROUGH THE EASTERN MID ATLANTIC
TODAY. THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM NICOLE WILL MOVE NORTH
ALONG THE COAST TONIGHT. COOL HIGH PRESSURE WILL SETTLE OVER THE
REGION FOR THE WEEKEND.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
COMPLEX WEATHER PICTURE THIS MORNING. UPPER LEVEL CUTOFF LOW WAS
OVER THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS...THE ASSOCIATED SURFACE LOW NEAR
MYRTLE BEACH. A TROPICAL LOW...THE REMNANTS OF NICOLE...WAS
MOVING NORTH ALONG THE FLORIDA COAST.

THE LOW PRESSURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPPER TROF WILL MOVE NORTH
THROUGH EAST CENTRAL NC THIS MORNING AND INTO CENTRAL VA THIS
AFTERNOON. AREA OF STRONGEST SURFACE PRESSURE FALLS THIS MORNING
WERE OCCURRING ALONG A LINE FROM FAYETTVILLE NC TO DANVILLE VA.
THIS IS A STRONG INDICATION OF WHERE THE SURFACE CYCLONE IS GOING
TO TRACK. RAIN HEAVY AT TIMES WILL CONTINUE WITHIN THIS CORRIDOR
AND UNTIL THE SFC LOW CLEARS THE AREA. UPSLOPE ENHANCEMENT OF THE
RAINFALL RATES WILL OCCUR WHERE THE BANDING INTERSECTS THE BLUE
RIDGE. ANTICIPATE SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN TO FALL ALONG AND EAST OF
THE BLUE RIDGE THIS MORNING...RATES OF 0.25 TO 0.50 AN HOUR. HAVE
TRIED TO DEPICT THIS IN THE PRECIPITATION GRAPHIC THAT HAS BEEN
POSTED TO OUR WEBSITE. RATES HAVE BEEN STEADILY TICKING UPWARD
DURING THE OVERNIGHT...AND IF YOU DO THE MATH...6 HOURS OF RAIN AT
A RATE OF 0.5 AN HOUR IS 3.00 INCHES. THAT SAID...STORM TOTALS
ALONG THE PARKWAY FROM PATRICK COUNTY NORTHEAST COULD EASILY SEE
UPWARDS OF 4...MAYBE 5 INCHES BEFORE THE RAIN ENDS LATER THIS
MORNING. THERE ALSO APPEARS TO BE A NARROW DEFORMATION BAND THAT
HAS DEVELOPED ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE LOW FROM GREENSBORO TO
MARTINSVILLE. THIS AREA WILL ALSO NEED TO BE WATCHED FOR UPWARDS
OF 4 TO 5 INCHES OF RAINFALL...AND THE POTENTIAL FOR URBAN FLOODING.
THERE IS A SHARP GRADIENT TO THE RAIN ON THE WESTERN PERIPHERY OF
THE SYSTEM...THIS GRADIENT ALIGNED N-S ALONG THE I-77 CORRIDOR.
VERY LITTLE RAIN HAS FALLEN WEST OF THIS DEMARKATION... AND BASED
ON THE ALMOST S-N TRACK OF THE CYCLONE...THIS WILL LIKELY BE THE
CASE FOR THE REST OF THIS MORNING...THE STEADIER RAINS CONFINED TO
THE EASTERN 3/4THS OF THE CWA...AND THE FOLKS FROM BLUEFIELD WV TO
BOONE NC RECEIVING LITTLE IN THE WAY OF QPF.

MODELS BRING END TO THE RAIN FAIRLY QUICKLY BETWEEN 12Z/8AM AND
18Z/2PM TODAY...THE SURFACE CYCLONE RACING NORTH...THEN NORTHEAST
WITH TIME. THE RAIN SHOULD END FROM SOUTH TO NORTH...ENDING IN
DANVILLE...MARTINSVILLE...AND MOUNT AIRY BETWEEN 8AM-11AM...AND
ENDING IN BLACKSBURG...ROANOKE...LYNCHBURG BETWEEN 11AM-2PM ISH.
THE UPPER LOW CHURNING OVER THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS WILL LAG
BEHIND THE SURFACE CYCLONE...SO INSTABILITY SHOWERS ARE A
POSSIBILITY UNTIL THE UPPER TROF CLEARS THE AREA TONIGHT.

THE REMANTS OF NICOLE ARE FORECAST TO MOVE UP THE EAST COAST
TONIGHT...MAINLY IMPACTING THE I-95 CORRIDOR AND POINTS EAST. I
MAINTAINED A LOW CHANCE THREAT FOR RAIN OVER THE FAR ERN CWA
TONIGHT PER POTENTIAL INFLUENCE FROM THIS TROPICAL FEATURE.

TEMPERATURES TODAY WILL BE DEPENDANT ON WHETHER WE SEE SOME
CLEARING THIS AFTERNOON. WITH THE UPPER TROUGH LAGGING...THINK
THERE WILL BE QUITE A BIT OF CLOUD COVER LINGERING FOR MOST OF THE
DAY. AS SUCH...WENT BLO MOS GUIDANCE FOR MAX TEMPS.
TONIGHT...CLOUDS MAY DO THE OPPOSIT BY HOLDING TEMPS ABOVE MOS.

WINDS TODAY WILL BE A BIT GUSTY. NORTH NORTHEAST WINDS OF 10-15
MPH THIS MORNING WILL BECOME NORTHWESTERLY BEHIND THE CYCLONE THIS
AFTERNOON AND INCREASE TO 15 TO 20 MPH. GUSTS OF 25 TO 30 MPH ARE
POSSIBLE...ESP ALONG THE MOUNTAIN RIDGES. WITH THE GROUND BECOMING
INCREASINGLY WET...THIS MAY RESULT IN A DOWNED TREE HERE AND THERE.

&&

.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/...
UPR TROUGH PULLS OUT TO THE EAST AS NEXT DIGGING S/WV APPROACHES
FROM THE MIDWEST...USHERING IN WEAK HIGH PRESSURE WITH A COOL DRY
AIR MASS THROUGH THIS PERIOD. MODELS IN PRETTY GOOD AGREEMENT WITH
THIS LARGE SCALE EVOLUTION. GFS HOLDS ON TO A BIT OF SHALLOW MSTR
ALONG WRN SLOPES EARLY FRI...BUT LEANING MORE TOWARD THE DRIER NAM.
HAVE LEFT A VERY SMALL AREA OF SLIGHT CHC SHWRS EARLY FRI FOR FAR NW
GREENBRIER CO THOUGH FROM PREV FCST. PLENTY OF SUNSHINE FOR FRI BUT
COOL 850 TEMPS WITH NRLY FLOW. CLOSER TO COOLER MAV FOR HIGHS
FRI...EXCEPT EAST WHERE DOWNSLOPE MAY PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL
WARMING...SO WENT CLOSER TO WARMER MET THERE. SUNSHINE BATTLING COOL
ADVECTION...WHICH IS WEAKENING DURING THE DAY. MAY BE THAT TEMPS BY
LATE IN THE DAY MAKE A BETTER RUN AT EVEN TOPPING MAV NUMBERS IN
EAST...PERHAPS PUSHING 80 IN A FES LOCATIONS. WEST LIKELY TO REMAIN
IN THE 60S WITH UPSLOPE.

WEAK SFC HIGH NUDGES IN FROM THE EAST FRI NIGHT AND VALLEYS SHOULD
DECOUPLE...ALLOWING FOR VERY COOL MINS AND PROBABLY VALLEY FOG
MAINLY WEST OF BLUE RDG CLOSER TO SFC HIGH CENTER. MET GUIDANCE
SHOWING COOLING TREND FOR SAT MORNING MINS...SO DROPPED A FEW DEG
WITH SOME UPPER 30S TO LOW 40S IN MANY VALLEY LOCATIONS...AND MID TO
UPPER 40S ELSEWHERE. AT THIS POINT NOT LOOKING COLD ENOUGH FOR ANY
FROST CONCERNS...BUT BEARS WATCHING. SFC HIGH THEN DOMINATES FOR
SATURDAY BUT APPROACHING TROUGH WILL BRING SOME LOW LEVEL MSTR BACK
IN TO THE WEST BY LATE IN THE DAY AND INCREASING MORE SAT NIGHT. NAM
A LITTLE DEEPER WITH THIS AND PREFERRED...WHICH WARRANT A SLIGHT CHC
OF SHWRS WRN SLOPES BEFORE DAWN SUNDAY. MIN TEMPS AGAIN COULD BE AS
COLD OR COLDER SUN MORNING...BUT INCREASING CLOUDS OVERNIGHT IN WEST
ALONG LIKELY TO PREVENT ANY FROST. AGAIN... MAY BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO
KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON.

&&

.LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
STRONG EASTERN 5H TROF REGIME WILL PREVAIL THRU THE EXTENDED PERIOD
WITH YET ANOTHER CLOSED LOW LIKELY TO DEVELOP IN THE BASE OF THE
ELONGATED TROF JUST WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS EARLY NEXT WEEK. THIS
FEATURE MAY AGAIN TAP INTO MOISTURE ALONG THE OLD BAROCLINIC ZONE
JUST OFFSHORE WITH PERHAPS WEAK SURFACE LOW PRESSURE BRINGING MORE
PRECIP INLAND ALTHO CONFIDENCE QUITE LOW PER ENSEMBLE SPREAD AND THE
LATEST OPEN NATURE OF THE GFS WITH THIS FEATURE. OTRW WILL END THE
WEEKEND RATHER DRY AND COOL UNDER WEAK HIGH PRESSURE AND AHEAD OF
THE UPPER TROF APPROACHING FROM THE NW. HOWEVER AS THE SYSTEM STARTS
TO CLOSE OFF...THE LATEST ECMWF STARTS TO DEVELOP -SHRA ACROSS THE
NW SUNDAY NIGHT AND THEN ATTEMPTS TO LINK DEEP COASTAL RH BACK
INLAND MONDAY WITH A CONVEYOR BELT OF MOISTURE INLAND THRU TUE.
THEREFORE HAVE FOLLOWED RATHER CLOSE TO HPC POPS IN BRINGING SOME
CHANCES ACROSS THE REGION FOR EARLY NEXT WEEK WITH HIGHEST WEST
SUNDAY NIGHT AND OUT EAST MON INTO TUESDAY. PROGGED UPPER LOW SHOULD
LIFT OUT TOWARD MID WEEK ALLOWING FOR MORE SUN AND SOMEWHAT WARMER
TEMPS ON WED WITH HIGHS PUSHING THE LOW 70S SE. OTRW RATHER COOL
TEMPS THRU THE REST OF THE PERIOD ESPCLY GIVEN CLOUDS DURING THE DAY
WHICH SHOULD HOLD READINGS IN THE 50S TO AROUND 60 MOUNTAINS AND
LOW/MID 60S EAST SUNDAY-TUE. LOOKS LIKE SOME 30S LIKELY IN THE
VALLEYS ESPCLY MON/TUE MORNINGS BUT THINKING FOR NOW THAT
CLOUDS/MIXING WILL KEEP VALUES ABOVE FREEZING.

&&

.AVIATION /08Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
PLUME OF TROPICAL MOISTURE ENGULFS THE EASTERN SEABOARD.
WIDESPREAD IFR CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST UNTIL THIS SYSTEM EXITS THE
REGION LATER THURSDAY. RAIN...HEAVY AT TIMES WILL BE FOUND ALONG
AND EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE...RIDGES OBSCURED THROUGH AT LEAST NOON
THURSDAY. LOW LEVEL NORTHEASTERLY WINDS OF 10-12 KTS WILL INCREASE
AND BECOME GUSTY DURING THE DAY THURSDAY AS THE STORM MOVES UP THE
EASTERN SEABOARD. CIGS SHOULD IMPROVE THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN THE
WAKE OF THE STORM...RAIN TAPERING TO SCATTERED SHOWERS.

COOL HIGH PRESSURE IS EXPECTED TO SETTLE OVER THE REGION THIS
WEEKEND. VFR CONDITIONS SHOULD PREVAIL...ALTHOUGH SOME STRATOCU MAY
LINGER IN THE MTNS OF WV AND FAR WRN VA RESULTING IN AREAS OF MVFR
DUE TO CIGS THERE.

ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM MAY AFFECT THE REGION FROM SUNDAY INTO
TUESDAY...WITH MVFR OR POSSIBLE IFR CONDITIONS.

&&

.HYDROLOGY...
WITH THE HIGHEST RAINFALL RATES LIKELY TO REMAIN EAST OF THE
HYDROLOGIC SERVICE AREA THROUGH THE DAY...THREAT FOR ANYTHING MORE
THAN ISOLD FLASH FLOODING APPEARS FAIRLY LOW AT THIS POINT.
STILL...SOME ENHANCEMENT ALONG THE BLUE RIDGE COULD RESULT IN HEAVY
ENOUGH RAINFALL RATES THROUGH THE MORNING HOURS THAT IT IS NOT OUT
OF THE QUESTION. STEADY MODERATE TO AT TIMES HEAVY RAINFALL EAST OF
THE BLUE RIDGE STILL EXPECTING TO ADD UP TO 2 TO 3 INCHES FROM 4 AM
THROUGH NOON OR SO...BUT THIS HAS MORE POTENTIAL FOR SLOWER RISE ON
SOME STREAMS AND IN URBAN AREAS RESULTING IN PRIMARILY MINOR
FLOODING. THIS IS NOT EXPECTING TO CAUSE MAINSTEM RIVERS TO REACH
FLOOD STAGE AT THIS POINT EITHER...ALTHOUGH SIGNIFICANT RISES ARE STILL
LIKELY TO OCCUR THROUGH FRIDAY.

&&

.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON FOR VAZ022>024-
     032>035-043>047-058-059.
NC...FLASH FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON FOR NCZ004>006.
WV...NONE.

&&

SYNOPSIS...PM
NEAR TERM...PM
SHORT TERM...SK
LONG TERM...JH
AVIATION...PM
HYDROLOGY...
Hazardous weather outlook, Sep 30, 4:14 AM EST, 1 minute before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
514 AM EDT THU SEP 30 2010

NCZ001>003-018>020-VAZ007-009>020-WVZ042>045-010915-
ASHE-ALLEGHANY NC-SURRY-WATAUGA-WILKES-YADKIN-TAZEWELL-SMYTH-BLAND-
GILES-WYTHE-PULASKI-MONTGOMERY-GRAYSON-CARROLL-FLOYD-CRAIG-
ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-MERCER-SUMMERS-MONROE-GREENBRIER-
514 AM EDT THU SEP 30 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL NORTH
CAROLINA...NORTHWEST NORTH CAROLINA...SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA...WEST
CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND SOUTHEAST WEST VIRGINIA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

NCZ004>006-VAZ022>024-032>035-043>047-058-059-010915-
STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-PATRICK-
FRANKLIN-BEDFORD-AMHERST-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-
BUCKINGHAM-HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-
514 AM EDT THU SEP 30 2010

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH CENTRAL 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.

   FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Sep 30, 2:33 AM EST, 1 hour 42 minutes before
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
333 AM EDT THU SEP 30 2010

NCZ004>006-VAZ032-033-043-044-301015-
STOKES-ROCKINGHAM-CASWELL-PATRICK-FRANKLIN-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DANBURY...EDEN...STUART...ROCKY MOUNT...
MARTINSVILLE...DANVILLE
333 AM EDT THU SEP 30 2010

...INCREASING RAINFALL RATES MAY RESULT IN MINOR FLOODING...

RAINFALL RATES HAVE BEEN INCREASING OVER THE PAST FEW HOURS
ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTH CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA AND SOUTH CENTRAL
VIRGINIA. RAINFALL SINCE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON HAS EXCEEDED AN INCH IN
MANY LOCATIONS...AND CLOSE TO TWO INCHES IN OTHERS. RAINFALL RATES
OF HALF AN INCH PER HOUR AND BRIEF PERIODS OF ALMOST AN INCH PER HOUR
ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH 6:00 AM...AND THESE AMOUNTS COULD RESULT IN
AN ADDITIONAL ONE TO TWO INCHES OF RAIN BETWEEN 3:30 AM AND 6:00
AM. URBAN AREAS...CREEKS SURROUNDING BY STEEP SLOPES...AND LOW
LYING AREAS ARE ESPECIALLY PRONE TO MINOR FLOODING.

BE ALERT FOR STANDING WATER IN ROADWAYS AND INTERSECTIONS...AND
WATER FLOWING OVER LOW WATER CROSSINGS. FLOODED ROADWAYS ARE
ESPECIALLY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT...AND VISIBILITIES WILL BE GREATLY
REDUCED IN HEAVY RAIN. SLOW DOWN WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN.

LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR THE LATEST
UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION.

SK

The radar

The Roanoke radar (KFCX), 54 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 09:14 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

27 flash flood, 15 flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Henry

When
September 30, 4:15 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where
Henry County, 0.52 mi NNW of Fontaine to 0.44 mi NNW of Fontaine
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.657, -79.874

A creek was flowing over the intersection of Smith Lake Road and Rivermont Heights Road near where it flows into Smith River. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Henry

When
September 30, 4:20 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where
Henry County, Bassett to 1.8 mi SE of Bassett
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$2.0 million
Reported by
County Official
Coordinates
36.770, -79.980

There were several reports of flooding in the Bassett area with on unnamed creek flowing over a road. Several other reports of countywide flooding were received. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 5:30 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2.76 mi E of Henry Fork to 2.55 mi E of Henry Fork
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$40,000
Reported by
Newspaper
Coordinates
36.970, -79.820

Flash flooding occurred along Doe Run Creek and caused flooding along Doe Run Road at Ashphone Tavern Road. A pickup truck became stalled in the flood waters at a low-water crossing bridge. The male driver was rescued. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:46 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 4.42 mi NW of Burnt Chimney to 4.34 mi NW of Burnt Chimney
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.150, -79.880

Flash flooding occurred along Gills Creek. Red Valley Road was flooding because of this, and the road was closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2.21 mi W of Snow Creek to 2.44 mi W of Snow Creek
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.830, -79.790

Flash flooding occurred along Snow Creek. Sutton Hollow Road was flooded and closed as a result. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 3.45 mi SW of Snydersville to 3.44 mi ENE of Henry
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.850, -79.920

Flash flooding occurred along Big Chestnut Creek. As a result, Robin Ridge Road was flooded and closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 1.77 mi SW of Snydersville to 1.81 mi SW of Snydersville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.860, -79.890

Flash flooding occurred along Big Chestnut Creek. As a result, Rufus Road was flooded and closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 0.55 mi W of Prilliman to 0.15 mi WNW of Prilliman
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.880, -80.010

Flash flooding occurred at the headwaters of Town Creek. This prompted flooding and closure of Pembrook Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 1.66 mi E of Waidsboro to 1.29 mi E of Waidsboro
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.950, -79.920

Flash flooding along Stony Creek prompted the flooding and closure of Ruritan Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2.27 mi W of Ferrum to 2.28 mi W of Ferrum
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.917, -80.061

Flash flooding along Nicholas Creek prompted the flooding and closure of Pernello Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2.56 mi ENE of Sydnorsville to 2.48 mi ENE of Sydnorsville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.887, -79.789

Flash flooding along a tributary of Big Chestnut Creek prompted flooding and closure of Toms Knob Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 6:54 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2.96 mi NNW of Snydersville to 2.86 mi NNW of Snydersville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.919, -79.894

Flash flooding along the South Fork of Little Chestnut Creek prompted flooding and closure of Briar Mountain Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Halifax

When
September 30, 7:00 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Halifax County, 0.63 mi W of South Boston to 0.83 mi W of South Boston
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
36.698, -78.911

Heavy rain prompted urban flooding as a stream left its banks and flooded the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Summit Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Henry

When
September 30, 7:05 AM EST to 10:00 AM EST
Where
Henry County, 0.63 mi WNW of Collinsville to 0.67 mi WNW of Collinsville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.724, -79.910

Flash flooding occurred along Daniels Creek and prompted the flooding and closure of Kirkwood Street. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Roanoke

When
September 30, 7:25 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Roanoke County, 1.1 mi W of Vinton to 0.91 mi W of Vinton
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$5,000
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
37.280, -79.920

Flash flooding occurred along Tinker Creek and water almost inundated 13th Street NE. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 7:27 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 5.2 mi ENE of Burnt Chimney
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.140, -79.750

Flash flooding along a small creek prompted the flooding and closing of Hardy Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 7:37 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 1.37 mi W of Hurt to 1.22 mi W of Hurt
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.080, -79.305

Small stream flooding occurred along Sycamore Creek, and Country Club Road was flooded. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 7:37 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 2.98 mi NNW of Chalk Level to 2.65 mi NNW of Chalk Level
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.960, -79.300

Flooding occurred along Stinker Creek, and Midway Road was flooded. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 7:49 AM EST to 11:00 AM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 4.28 mi WSW of Callands to 4.24 mi WSW of Callands
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.790, -79.648

Flash flooding occurred on Turkeycock Creek and prompted the flooding and closure of Avendale Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Botetourt

When
September 30, 7:49 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Botetourt County, 0.48 mi SW of Lithia to 0.39 mi SW of Lithia
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$20,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.476, -79.757

Flash flooding occurred on Back Creek and prompted the flooding and closer of Lithia Road between Church Hill Road and Rice Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 7:49 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 2.82 mi SSE of Weal to 2.85 mi NW of Dry Fork
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.780, -79.460

Small stream flooding occurred along Bearskin Creek, and Irish Road was flooded. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 7:49 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 2.59 mi SW of Dry Fork to 2.5 mi W of Whiteoak
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.720, -79.448

Small stream flooding occurred along White Oak Creek, and Hopewell Road was flooded. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 7:49 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 1.8 mi ESE of Museville to 1.64 mi ESE of Museville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.910, -79.550

Small stream flooding occurred along Pie Creek, and Colony Road flooded. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Bedford

When
September 30, 7:52 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Bedford County, 1.77 mi NE of Forest New London Ar to 1.9 mi NE of Forest New London Ar
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.290, -79.310

Bethel Church Road was closed due to flash flooding. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 8:13 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 3.05 mi SE of Retreat to 3.06 mi NW of Barfoot
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.013, -79.969

Flash flooding along Coles Creek prompted flooding and closure of Coles Creek Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 8:13 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 2.24 mi SSE of Retreat to 2.27 mi S of Retreat
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.019, -79.987

Flash flooding along Madcap Creek prompted flooding and closure of Madcap Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Bedford

When
September 30, 8:22 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Bedford County, 2.35 mi NNE of Montvale to 2.67 mi NE of Montvale
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.410, -79.710

Flash flooding occurred along a tributary of the North Fork of Goose Creek and prompted flooding of Crouch Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Amherst

When
September 30, 8:30 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Amherst County, 0.88 mi SE of Sweet Briar to 0.44 mi SE of Sweet Briar
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
37.540, -79.060

Small stream flooding occurred along Higginbottom Creek, and Higginbottom Road was flooded and closed because of the water. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 8:35 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 1.77 mi SW of Sago to 2.16 mi SW of Sago
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.860, -79.650

Flash flooding along Circle Creek prompted flooding and closure of Circle Creek Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 8:37 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 2.65 mi SE of Gretna to 2.3 mi SE of Gretna
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.920, -79.340

Flooding occurred along Long Branch, and caused Player Road to be flooded and closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 8:37 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 3.03 mi NW of Level Run to 3.22 mi NW of Level Run
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.060, -79.220

Small stream flooding occurred along Beechtree Creek, and Dews Road was flooded and closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 8:47 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 1.7 mi NW of Penhook to 1.62 mi NW of Penhook
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.995, -79.654

Flash flooding along Small Creek where it enters Smith Mountain Lake prompted flooding and closure of Kay Fork Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 8:47 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 3.06 mi SE of Chatham to 2.94 mi SSE of Chatham
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.783, -79.369

Flooding occurred along the Banister River, and caused Dairy View Road to be flooded and closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Pittsylvania

When
September 30, 8:47 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Pittsylvania County, 2.32 mi ESE of Sonans to 2.08 mi ESE of Sonans
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.870, -79.280

Flooding occurred along Mill Creek, and flooded and closed South Meadows Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Amherst

When
September 30, 9:10 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Amherst County, 1.94 mi SSE of Lowesville to 1.77 mi SSE of Lowesville
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.694, -79.058

Flooding occurred along Maple Run, and Flatwoods Road was flooded and closed. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Amherst

When
September 30, 9:12 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Amherst County, 0.69 mi S of Pedlar Mills to 0.79 mi N of Agricola
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.560, -79.250

Flooding occurred along Mill Creek, and flooded and closed Buffalo Springs Turnpike. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Bedford

When
September 30, 9:28 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Bedford County, 1.3 mi ENE of Montvale to 1.52 mi NE of Montvale
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.390, -79.710

Flash flooding along the North Fork of Goose Creek prompted the flooding and closure of Beale Trail. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Alleghany

When
September 30, 9:30 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Alleghany County, 1.59 mi W of Clifton Forge City to 1.52 mi W of Clifton Forge City
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$500,000
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
37.818, -79.829

The East Fork of Dry Creek was out of its banks and up to three feet deep at one point of the flooding. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 9:41 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 1.75 mi SSE of Truevine to 1.81 mi SSE of Truevine
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.877, -79.687

Flash flooding along Snow Creek washed out Danbury Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Franklin

When
September 30, 9:41 AM EST to 11:15 AM EST
Where
Franklin County, 1.94 mi W of Sago to 1.91 mi W of Sago
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
36.877, -79.665

Flash flooding along Snow Creek prompted flooding and closure of Belcher Road. Damage values are estimated.

Flood, Rockbridge

When
September 30, 9:56 AM EST to 2:00 PM EST
Where
Rockbridge County, 1.49 mi SSE of Natural Bridge to 1.37 mi SSE of Natural Bridge
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$10,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.610, -79.540

Small creek flooding prompted flooding and closure of Shafer Lane. Damage values are estimated.

Flash Flood, Bedford

When
September 30, 9:59 AM EST to 12:00 PM EST
Where
Bedford County, 2.14 mi NNW of Moneta to 2.33 mi NNW of Moneta
Cause
Heavy Rain
Property damage
$100,000
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
37.210, -79.640

Flash flooding occurred along Stony Fork and waters washed out a portion of Route 608. Damage values are estimated.

What these are

Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.
Flood
Flooding that develops more slowly than a flash flood: rivers leaving their banks, or water standing over land for an extended time.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Virginia in 2010Every state in 2010This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, September 2010

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: 261922, 261923, 261925, 261926, 261927, 261928, 261929, 261930, 261931, 261932, 261933, 261934, 262004, 262003, 261998, 261935, 262005, 262006, 261971, 261972, 262007, 262010, 262011, 261999, 261936, 261937, 262000, 262015, 261938, 262016, 262017, 261939, 262019, 262020, 262021, 262022, 262001, 262023, 261940, 261941, and more.