Flash Flooding and Flooding in Virginia, November 10 to 17, 2020

The Cooperative Weather Observer for Appomattox, VA (APXV2) recorded a storm-total rainfall amount of 9.20 inches rainfall during a 72-hour period ending 12Z on November 13th. This is the highest 3-day total ever for November, and the 4th- highest ever for any month. During the 24-hour period ending 12Z on the 12th, 7.28 inches fell, the highest 24-hour precipitation ever recorded during November, and 2nd-highest of any month for this station. Both the 7.28 inch measurement for a 24-hour period, and 9.20 inch storm-total measurement over 72 hours are each around 50-year ARI events per NOAA Atlas 14 point frequency estimates. Records for this station date back to November 1937.

Personal weather station KVAAPPOM24 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 6.28 inches. This is roughly a 10-year Average Recurrence Interval per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Frequency Estimates.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Woolwine 4 S, VA (WLWV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 13th) precipitation amount of 5.62 inches. This was the 6th-highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November. The 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 12th) of 5.32 inches was the 4th-highest 48-hour total for November. Records date back to June 1951.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Stuart, VA (STUV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 13th) precipitation amount of 7.30 inches. This was the highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November, and the 6th highest all-time. The 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 12th) of 6.59 inches was also the highest 48-hour total for November and 4th highest all-time. The 24-hour total of 5.41 inches measured at 12Z on the 12th is the highest 24-hour measurement for November and 4th-highest all-time 24-hour amount. All of these amounts are 5- to 10-year ARI events per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates. Records date back to May 1913.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Rocky Mount, VA (RYMV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 13th) precipitation amount of 7.42 inches. This was the highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November. The 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 12th) of 6.52 inches was also the highest 48-hour total for November and 10th highest all-time. The 24-hour total of 5.10 inches measured at 12Z on the 12th is the highest 24-hour measurement for November and 7th-highest all-time 24-hour amount. All of these amounts are 10- to 25-year ARI events per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates. Records date back to April 1894.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Meadows of Dan, VA (MODV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 13th) precipitation amount of 5.49 inches. This was the 2nd-highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November. The 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 12th) of 5.05 inches was also the highest 48-hour total for November and 10th highest all-time. The 24-hour total of 5.10 inches measured at 12Z on the 12th is the highest 24-hour measurement for November and 7th-highest all-time 24-hour amount. All of these amounts are 10- to 25-year ARI events per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates. Records date back to April 1894.

The ASOS at Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH) observed a 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 12th) of 4.64 inches of rainfall, the highest 48-hour total for the month of November in the Lynchburg area. The station also set a new record for highest 24-hour total of 3.40 inches (ending 12Z on November 11th) for the month of November. Records date back to June 1893.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Concord 4 SSW, VA (CONV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 13th) precipitation amount of 8.07 inches. This was the highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November, and the 6th highest all-time. The 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 13th) of 7.55 inches was also the highest 48-hour total for November and 5th highest all-time. The 24-hour total of 6.85 inches measured at 12Z on the 12th is the highest 24-hour measurement for November and 3rd-highest all-time 24-hour amount. All of these amounts are 25- to 50-year ARI events per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates. Records date back to September 1950.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Huddleston 4 SW, VA (HUDV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 13th) precipitation amount of 6.46 inches. This was the highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November, and the 6th highest all-time. The 48-hour total (also ending 12Z on November 13th) of 6.25 inches was also the highest 48-hour total for November and 2nd highest all-time. The 24-hour total of 5.16 inches measured at 12Z on the 12th is the highest 24-hour measurement for November and 2nd-highest all-time 24-hour amount. All of these amounts are 10- to 25-year ARI events per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates. Records date back to September 1950.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Galax, VA (GAAV2) observed a 72-hour (ending 12Z on November 12th) precipitation amount of 5.76 inches. This was the highest 72-hour total for this station during the month of November. The 48-hour total (ending 12Z on November 12th) of 5.63 inches was also the highest 48-hour total for November and 7th highest all-time. The 24-hour total of 3.81 inches measured at 12Z on the 12th is the highest 24-hour measurement for November. These amounts are 10- to 25-year ARI events at the 48- and 72-hour durations, and 5- to 10-year events at the 24-hour duration per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates. Records date back to May 1907.

Personal weather station KVAMONET39 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 6.30 inches.

Personal weather station KVAMONET27 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 7.41 inches. This amount was around a 25-year ARI event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates.

Personal weather station KVAFERRU8 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 7.12 inches. This amount was between 10- and a 25-year ARI event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates.

Personal weather station KVAHILLS8 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 5.25 inches.

Personal weather station KVAGLADY2 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 6.14 inches. This amount was around a 10-year ARI event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates.

Personal weather station KVADILLW10 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 7.38 inches. This amount was around a 25-year ARI event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates.

Personal weather station KVASCOTT16 recorded a 72-hour storm-total rainfall amount, ending 12Z on November 13th, of 6.48 inches. This amount was a little more than a 10-year ARI event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation estimates.

A member of the public reported a storm-total rainfall amount of over 10 inches of rain.

Multiple weather stations across Franklin County recorded between 4 and locally-6 inches of rainfall occurring in multiple waves during the morning and again in the evening. An additional 1.5 to 2.5 inches occurred during the morning and early afternoon on the 12th. Runoff from this rainfall caused numerous roads across Franklin county to be covered with water and impassible until the water receded. Some of these roads include Virgil Goode Road, Doe Run Road, School Board Road at Powder Creek, Franklin Street. At least one road was reported washed out, which was Rock Lily Road. Multiple minor debris flows were also reported on the roads, impeding traffic until they were cleared.

Runoff from 2 to 2.5 inches or rain that fell between 4 am and 10 am in the vicinity of the City of Lynchburg caused Buffalo Creek to rise out of its banks. About 4 inches of water from the creek was observed flowing across Whitestone Drive.

Runoff from 2 to 2.5 inches or rain that fell between 4 am and 10 am in the vicinity of the City of Lynchburg caused Buffalo Creek to rise out of its banks. Water from the creek was observed flowing across Homewood Drive.

Runoff from heavy rain was observed ponding across Oakley Avenue, briefly closing the road until the water receded.

Runoff from about 2.3 inches of rain during the previous 6-hour period was observed ponding across South Constitutional Route near the community of Scottsville.

Runoff from heavy rain resulted in about six inches of standing water at the intersection of Badcock Place and Atlanta Avenue. Poor drainage is suspected given the highly developed retail area surrounding the intersection.

Ponding of water due to heavy rain was observed across Oakleigh Avenue, causing the road to be impassible.

Runoff from 2 to 2.5 inches of rainfall across portions of Buckingham County between 5:30 am and 11 am caused Walton Fork to rise out of its banks. Water from the fork was observed flowing across St. Andrews Road, but was less than 6 inches deep at the time.

Runoff from heavy rain was observed ponding across the roadway near the intersection of Stage Road and Stonewall Road, causing the road to be impassible.

Runoff from 2 to 2.5 inches of rain that fell between 5:30 am and 11 am caused Sharps Creek to flood out of its banks. Water from the creek was observed flowing across Diana Mill Road, but less than 6 inches deep.

Local personal weather stations indicate that nearly 3 inches of rain fell between 5:15 am and 11:15 am on November 11th, with 1.5 inches falling between 10 am and 11:15 am. This caused Buck Creek to overflow its banks, flooding Snapps Mill Road and other nearby roads.

A little over 2.5 inches of rain fell across central Appomattox County during the morning of November 11th, with an inch falling during the 10 am to 11:15 am timeframe. Runoff from this rainfall pushed Big Cub Creek out of its banks, with flood waters observed flowing across Rock Spring Road.

Local personal weather stations indicate that between 2 and 2.25 inches of rain fell between 6 am and noon on November 11th. Around 1 inch of that amount fell between 10:30 am and 11:30 am. Runoff from this rainfall caused a pond along Rock Fence Road to overflow across the road, blocking the roadway until the water receded.

Poor drainage issues after 2+ inches of rain earlier in the morning caused Union Hill Road to be closed off due to standing water.

The Smith River rose out of its banks and flooded onto Appalachian Drive in the community of Fieldale during the afternoon of November 11th, after widespread rainfall amounts of 2 to 2.5 inches fell earlier in the day. One car became stranded while trying to pass through the flood waters. Emergency services successfully rescued the lone occupant of the vehicle.

After 2 to 3 inches of rain fell across Appomattox county during the morning, an additional 1.75 to 2.25 inches of rain fell during the evening, most of it within a hour, as a line of slow-moving thunderstorms passed across the area. This caused numerous creeks, already running high from the earlier rainfall, to flood out of their banks. Notable among the flood reports was water about one foot deep running across Horseshoe Road. At least five water rescues were performed by emergency personnel, including one at North Creek Road where North Creek was observed flooding the roadway, and another at River Ridge Road at the Appomattox River. Additional rounds of rain of weaker intensity persisted through the late evening hours, maintaining the flooding conditions, though flash flooding ended by 11:00 pm.

After 2 to 2.5 inches of rain fell during the morning across much of Buckingham County, a band of slow-moving thunderstorms moved across the county during the evening. Runoff from this heavy rain caused water to flow across the road near the intersection of Howardsville Road and Watoga Road.

After 2 to 2.5 inches of rain fell during the morning across much of Buckingham County, a band of slow-moving thunderstorms moved across the county during the evening. Runoff from this heavy rain caused water to flow across the road near the intersection of Twin Creek Road and West James Anderson Highway.

The Falling River near Naruna, VA (FLRV2) was above flood stage (15 feet) from November 11th through the 13th and crested at a stage of 27.97 feet (19,700 cfs) at 11:45 AM EST on November 12th, the 4th highest crest on record for this gauge. This was a 25-year Average Return Interval event per the USGS StreamStats website.

Runoff from 1 to 1.5 inches of rain in about a one-hour time period caused flooding several inches deep to flow across the intersection of Wilkerson Road and Kentuck Road. The road was reported impassible until after the water receded.

With 1.5 to 2 inches of rain having already fallen earlier in the day, a band of fast-moving thunderstorms producing heavy rain moved across the community of Blacksburg. Between 7:00 pm and 7:40 pm, a weather station in Blacksburg recorded about 1.25 inches of rain with this band. Runoff from the rainfall push Stroubles Creek out of its banks near the Duck Pond on the Virginia Tech University campus, flooding Duck Pond Drive. The road was impassible for several hours.

With about 2 inches of rain having already fallen earlier in the day across the Jacobs Creek watershed, a band of thunderstorms passed across the area during the evening. Multiple personal weather stations observed 1.25 to 1.5 inches of rain during a 45-minute period between 6:30 pm and 7:15 pm, falling over saturated soils. Runoff from this rain pushed Jacobs Creek out of its banks, which was then observed flowing across Red House Road. The road was impassible until the flood waters receded. An automobile became stranded in the floodwaters and had to be towed out.

The Roanoke River at Brookneal, VA (BROV2) was above flood stage (23 feet) from November 11th through the 14th and crested at the major flood stage of 34.51 feet (59,800 cfs) at 7:00 PM EST on November 12th, the 5th highest crest on record for this gauge. This was between a 10- and 25-year Average Return Interval per the USGS StreamStats website.

Multiple personal weather stations indicated between 1.75 and 2.5 inches of rain fell during the evening of November 11th across portions the Banister River basin. Some of this rain fell inside a 2 hour period. This caused flooding along the Banister River, which washed out the bridge along Meadville Road. It was initially estimated that it would take 2 to 3 months to repair the bridge. Outage of the bridge required a roughly 20-mile detour for motorists to go around.

The Roanoke River at Roanoke, VA (RONV2) was above flood stage (10 feet) on November 12th, and crested at the moderate flood stage of 14.07 feet (14,000 cfs) at 12:35 PM EST on November 12th, the 13th highest crest on record for this gauge. This was between a 5- and 10-year Average Return Interval per the USGS StreamStats website.

The Dan River at Danville (DVLV2) was in flood stage (21 feet) from November 12th through the 14th and crested at the moderate flood stage of 26.10 feet (40,100 cfs) at 11:30 PM EST on November 13th. This was just under a 25-year Average Return Interval per the USGS StreamStats website.

Cub Creek at Phenix, VA (CUBV2) was above flood stage (12 feet) from November 12th through the 13th and crested at a stage of 16.93 feet (7,610 cfs) at 5:30 PM EST on November 12th, the 4th highest crest on record for this gauge. This was between a 10- and 25-year Average Return Interval per the USGS StreamStats website.

The Roanoke River at Randolph, VA (RNDV2) was above flood stage (24 feet) from November 12th through very early on the 17th and crested at the moderate flood stage of 31.97 feet (58,200 cfs) at 9:15 PM EST on November 13th, the 7th highest crest on record for this gauge. This was between a 5- and 10-year Average Return Interval per the USGS StreamStats website.

Trade Street was reported closed due to flooding from the Dan River when the river was above a stage of about 23.5 feet beginning around 3:00 pm on November 12th. The river did not recede below this stage until late afternoon on the 14th.

The Dan River at Paces, VA (PCEV2) was above flood stage (22 feet) from November 12th through the 15th and crested at the minor flood stage of 28.65 feet (47,000 cfs) at 4:15 PM EST on November 14th. This was just over a 25-year Average Return Interval per the USGS StreamStats website.

The Dan River at South Boston (SBNV2) crested at 29.44 feet on November 15th at 1:15 am EST, which is the 14th-highest crest on record, but below two other crests that occurred earlier in 2020. Flooding of this magnitude is between a 5- and 10-year event per USGS StreamStats. Flooding from the Dan River caused water to flood the road and businesses along Highway 501 as far south as the intersection with Highway 58, about a half mile from the river. The intersection was closed from late afternoon of the 14th until late afternoon of the 15th, when the river was around a stage of 28 feet. Highway 501 remained closed until the morning of the 16th.