The remnants of Hurricane Debbie moved north toward the area on August 8th, 2024. A strong southeast flow of wind on the system's northern extent, along with wet soils due to heavy rainfall, helped to cause downed trees and power lines over portions of Virginia.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS RNK wrote it up.
The remnants of Hurricane Debbie moved north toward the area on August 8th, 2024. A strong southeast flow of wind on the system's northern extent, along with wet soils due to heavy rainfall, helped to cause downed trees and power lines over portions of Virginia. Winds gusted to at least 40 to 45 mph over parts of the region. The strong winds continued into the morning hours of August 9th, 2024. The highest totals were observed in a swath stretching from Patrick and Franklin Counties through southern Botetourt and Bedford, including the Cities of Roanoke and Salem, where three to five inches were recorded, amounts that were generally 10-year average recurrence interval (ARI) events per NOAA Atlas 14 Point Precipitation Frequency estimates. Another swath of similar amounts was observed from Charlotte County through central Buckingham County. Rainfall amounts for most of the remainder of of central Virginia were under three inches and generally less than 10-year ARI events. There were|long breaks in between rainfall bands, with many areas receiving only light to occasionally moderate rainfall for two to three hours, which helped diminish the flooding threat. Another factor that decreased the flash flooding potential were antecedent soil conditions and streamflows that were near to below normal from drought conditions occurring earlier in the summer. As a result, bands of heavy rain did cause several fist and second order streams to flood rapidly out of their banks, making nearby roads impassible for several hours until the water receded. The Dan River rose to minor flood stage at South Boston.
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 Aug 8, 5:34 AM EST, 2 hours 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
634 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
.SYNOPSIS...
Moderate to heavy rainfall from current Tropical Storm Debby will
increase in coverage over the area Thursday into Friday, and will
increase the risk of flooding, especially along and east of the Blue
Ridge. Debby pushes to the northeast by Friday night, cooler
and drier air arrives by Saturday, and will bring more tranquil
weather for the start of the week.
&&
.NEAR TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/...
As of 300 AM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages:
1) High Risk of flooding today and tonight. Heavy rainfall will
likely result in flash flooding and river flooding.
2) Rotating storms could produce tornadoes across the Virginia and
North Carolina Piedmont.
Tropical Storm Debby is currently located along on the South
Carolina coast, recently making landfall. Rain continues to develop
and increase in coverage and intensity across the Carolinas this
morning. Strong easterly flow ahead of Debby has resulted in areas
of upslope rain along and east of the Blue Ridge. These will
continue through the morning and increase in coverage as 850mb
moisture transport continues to strengthen. Main swath of rain
directly associated with Debby is beginning to push into Southside
Virginia and north central North Carolina. This will continue
through the morning and reach the 81 corridor by noon.
The threat for very efficient rainfall rates continues to increase
across our area. Fueled by high Precipitable Water and terrain
enhancement, high rainfall rates will likely result in flash
flooding over the Blue Ridge, Foothills, and Piedmont areas of
Virginia and North Carolina. Some convectively enhanced bands will
also occur across central Virginia, leading to the increased threat
of flash flooding. The aforementioned areas are where the confidence
of the heaviest rainfall remains. Heaviest rain timing appears to be
from 2pm this afternoon through 2am Friday.
Secondary concern is the threat for rotating storms this afternoon
and tonight. Low pressure center will track somewhere along the 81
corridor through Virginia and the area of concern for tornadoes will
be in Central Virginia, particularly along and east of US29. Modeled
0-3km helicity values nearing 300 m2/s2 coinciding with CAPE nearing
1000 J/kg should support convective rainbands with embedded
supercells capable of producing tornadoes. To support this, several
radar confirmed tornadoes have already occurred this morning
across eastern North Carolina.
Be weather aware over the next 24 to 36 hours as conditions could
rapidly deteriorate. Have a way to receive warnings if a flash flood
warning or tornado warning is issued.
&&
.SHORT TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT/...
As of 300 AM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages:
1. Lingering light showers possible through Friday night.
2. Mostly dry weather expected for the remainder of the weekend.
The remnants of what is currently Tropical Storm Debby will be into
the upper Mid Atlantic and New England by Friday night, as the
system gets lifted northward by an upper trough. Some lingering
showers in the area are possible overnight and into early Saturday
morning, as a surface front pushes into the region from the west.
Behind the front and tropical system, a cooler and drier airmass
will build into the area, and high pressure will become situated
overhead through Sunday. For the remainder of the weekend, weather
will be much drier, and only very limited chances of precipitation,
mainly in NC and southward, as the front stalls across the
southeastern states.
Temperatures will be cooler, near to a couple degrees below seasonal
normals, in the mid to upper 70s in the west, and mid 80s in the
east. Plentiful sunshine and lower dewpoints are expected through
Sunday.
&&
.LONG TERM /MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
As of 300 AM EDT Thursday...
Key Messages:
1. Quieter weather pattern for beginning of the week, with limited
precipitation probabilities.
2. Temperatures near normal through the period.
A much quieter weather pattern is expected for the beginning of the
work week, with surface high pressure settled over the Ohio Valley
and Mid Atlantic region, keeping precipitation chances limited. Some
isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible
Tuesday afternoon, mainly along and south of the VA/NC border, as a
front drifts northward into the Carolinas, but probabilities are low
at this time.
Temperatures will be near normal through the period, in mostly the
70s west of the Blue Ridge, and low to mid 80s east.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 300 AM EDT Wednesday...
Flight conditions continue to deteriorate this morning, with
most locations already sub-VFR. Expect conditions to continue to
worsen through the day as more widespread rainfall enters the
area. Rain intensity will increase through the day and expect
IFR/LIFR through tonight for all terminals.
Worst conditions appear to be from about 2pm this afternoon
through 2am Friday.
Winds also increase today as well, gusty at times into the 25kt
range.
AVIATION OUTLOOK...
Remnants of Debby continue moving N through the region through
Friday morning. Improving flight categories expected as Debby
moves away from the region Friday night. High pressure moves
into the region this weekend and VFR is expected outside of
areas of morning fog through early next week.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
As of 315 AM EDT Thursday...
A rare High Risk for excessive rainfall has been issued for a
large portion on the area extending from the Blue Ridge of
Virginia and east into the Virginia and North Carolina Piedmont.
The last issued high risk for our area occurred in May of 2020
where significant flooding occurred with that event.
Expecting heavy rainfall to increase across the area today from
east to west as Debby continues to push inland across the
Carolinas, and then eventually north along the Blue Ridge
tonight. Very high ambient moisture associated with the tropical
remnants will allow very high efficient rainfall rates. Overall
much of the area remains in a drought, so should be able to
handle lower rainfall rates to an extent. However, the concern
is with convectively enhanced rainfall bands training
repeatedly across the mountains and Piedmont, coupled with PWAT
values exceeding 2.25 inches. This will produce large amounts of
rain within a short period of time, thus resulting in the high
risk of excessive rainfall.
Main stem river flooding is also expected in the Dan and
Roanoke River basins. Areawide 4 to 8 inches is expected and
likely to see several locations along the Roanoke and lower Dan
to go into flood stage by Friday.
&&
.RNK WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
VA...Flood Watch through Friday evening for VAZ010>020-022>024-
032>035-043>047-058-059.
NC...Flood Watch through Friday evening for NCZ001>006-018>020.
WV...Flood Watch through Friday evening for WVZ042>044-507-508.
&&
SYNOPSIS...AS
NEAR TERM...BMG
SHORT TERM...AS
LONG TERM...AS
AVIATION...BMG
HYDROLOGY...BMGHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Blacksburg VA 402 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024 VAZ007-009-090815- Tazewell-Smyth- 402 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Virginia. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. There is a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall today and tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. There is a low probability for widespread hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ001-002-018-019-VAZ010>020-022>024-WVZ042>044-507-508-090815- Ashe-Alleghany NC-Watauga-Wilkes-Bland-Giles-Wythe-Pulaski- Montgomery-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-Craig-Alleghany VA-Bath-Roanoke- Botetourt-Rockbridge-Mercer-Summers-Monroe-Eastern Greenbrier- Western Greenbrier- 402 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia, west central Virginia and southeast West 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ003-004-020-VAZ032-033-043-090815- Surry-Stokes-Yadkin-Patrick-Franklin-Henry- 402 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina, northwest North Carolina, 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. NCZ005-006-VAZ044-058-090815- Rockingham-Caswell-Pittsylvania-Halifax- 402 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central North Carolina and south 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. VAZ034-035-045>047-059-090815- Bedford-Amherst-Campbell-Appomattox-Buckingham-Charlotte- 402 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Virginia and south 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. Flood Watch. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Flood Watch. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed.
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
908 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0847 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 NW Woodville 36.53N 80.52W
08/08/2024 Surry NC 911 Call Center
The Surry County 911 Center reported that a
large tree was down in the 1400 block of
Blue Hollow Road in Mt. Airy at Moores
General Store. The tree had also fallen down
on a power line and brought the power line
down as well.
&&
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
910 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0839 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 3 SE Brosville 36.59N 79.58W
08/08/2024 Pittsylvania VA 911 Call Center
The Pittsylvania County 911 Center reported
that a tree was down across Horseshoe Road
in the 2100 block of the road.
&&
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
912 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0815 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 ENE Spring Mills 37.25N 78.90W
08/08/2024 Appomattox VA 911 Call Center
The Appomattox County 911 Center reported
that a large tree was down in the 1100 block
of Bent Creek Road blocking the road.
&&
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
915 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0811 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 W Horse Pasture 36.63N 79.98W
08/08/2024 Henry VA 911 Call Center
The Henry County 911 Center reported that a
large tree was down across the roadway
blocking both lanes of traffic in the 1200
block of Evergreen Road in the Spencer area.
&&
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
924 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0809 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 NNW Fieldale 36.73N 79.95W
08/08/2024 Henry VA 911 Call Center
The Pittsylvania County 911 Center reported
that a large tree was down across Black
River Road near Meadowview Drive blocking
both lanes of traffic.
&&
RABPreliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
926 AM EDT Thu Aug 8 2024
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0923 AM Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NNE Dobson 36.41N 80.72W
08/08/2024 Surry NC 911 Call Center
The Surry County 911 Center reported that a
large tree was down on a power line in the
170 block of Fowler Circle in Dobson.
&&
RABThe Roanoke radar (KFCX), 48 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:00 UTC.
29 flash flood, 9 strong wind, 7 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
At last twenty-two trees were blown down within the combination of Henry County and the City of Martinsburg. Power lines were also brought down near Fieldale. Damage values are estimated.
Winds downed power lines within the 2700 block of Mansfield Street NE in the City of Roanoke. Damage values are estimated.
Winds blew at least eighteen trees down within Campbell County and the City of Lynchburg combined. Several power lines were also taken down by the fallen trees, especially in the Rustburg area. Damage values are estimated.
Winds downed at least sixteen trees across the county. Additionally, a power line was down in the 5100 block of Cascade Road in Cascade. Damage values are estimated.
Winds downed at least eight trees within the county. Damage values are estimated.
Winds downed several trees and limbs through the Meadows of Dan area. There were also scattered power lines downed throughout the area. Damage values are estimated.
Strong winds downed several tree across Rockbridge county. Damage values are estimated.
Poplar Creek was observed out of its banks and flowing across the bridge near the intersection of Summit Drive and Railroad Avenue. No damage was reported to the bridge, and it was open to traffic after the water receded. This is a flood prone area, and has been reported flooded multiple times throughout 2024.
Scottsburg Road was observed flooded by several inches of flowing water across the roadway. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Green Valley Road was flooded and impassible as Black Walnut Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Stockdale Road was flooded and impassible as Austin Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Little Cub Creek was observed out of its banks and flowing across Tower Road near the intersection with Thorntons Mill Road. No damage was reported to the bridge, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Woodfork Road was flooded and impassible as Wards Fork Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Runoff from heavy rain caused the railroad underpass along Wiley Drive to become flooded with about two feet of standing water and impassible until the water drained away. No damage was reported.
A poor drainage issue during heavy rain caused Campbell Avenue to become flooded by several inches of standing water. The road was open to traffic after the drain blockage was cleared.
Little Opossum Creek was observed out of its banks and flowing across Highway 501. No damage was reported to the bridge, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Pernello Road was flooded and impassible as Nicholas Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road.
The South Fork Blackwater River was observed rising out of its banks several inches deep across Callaway Road near Blackwater Park. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.
Poor drainage resulted in flooding along Sink Drive, with water entering some of the apartments along the drive that caused minor property damage.
Coles Creek Road was flooded and impassible as Coles Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Pembrook Road was flooded and impassible as Town Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road.
Ruritan Road was flooded and impassible as Story Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Mary Bett Hollow Road was flooded and impassible as a tributary of Rennet Bag Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Madcap Road was flooded and impassible as Madcap Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Portions of Boulevard Street and 24th Street were flooded between three and four feet deep in spots by runoff from heavy rain. No damage was reported to the roads, which were reopened to traffic after the flooding receded.
Runoff from heavy rainfall was observed pooling several inches deep across the intersection of Walnut Avenue and 8th Street. No damage to the roadways was reported.
Heavy runoff from a nearby hillside flowed several inches deep across the road near the intersection of New Wright Shop Road and Riverview Road. No damage was reported to the roadway.
The low water crossing on Wise Street at Tinker Creek became partially submerged as Tinker Creek rose to a crest of 5.85 feet, which is well within its banks. No damage to the road was reported as it is designed to begin becoming flooded at this stage.
Big Cub Creek was observed out of its banks and flowing across Willow Oak Road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Several inches of runoff was observed flowing across Double Bridges Road. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.
Dairy View Road was flooded and impassible by tributaries of the Banister River which overflowed their banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
At least three trees were blown down within the county, one near Appomattox, one near Spout Spring, and one near Hixburg. Damage values are estimated.
Jacobs Road was flooded and impassible as Little Sycamore Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Millstream Drive was flooded and impassible as Georges Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Suburban Road was flooded and impassible as Tussocky Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Runoff from an overflowing pond was observed flowing across Kelly Road several inches deep.
Union Church Road was flooded at Reed Creek as the creek rose out of its banks, inundating the bridge.
Wheelers Spring Road was flooded and impassible as Little Cub Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Winds downed power lines and closed Proctor Street from Pine Street to Isabella Street in Drakes Branch. Damage values are estimated.
Hixburg Road was flooded and impassible as Vaughans Creek overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Opossum Creek was observed out of its banks and flowing across Lone Jack Road. No damage was reported to the bridge, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Sunnymeade Road was flooded as a nearby pond overflowed its banks several inches deep across the road. No damage was reported to the road, and it was open to traffic after the water receded.
Suck Creek was observed overflowing its banks across Mollies Creek Road several inches deep, making the road impassible. The road was reopened after the flooding receded.
Cub Creek was observed rising out of its banks several inches deep across Whites Chapel Road. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.
The Dan River at South Boston, VA (SBNV2) crested at a stage of 23.31 feet (22,200 cfs) at 1:45 pm EST on 8/10/24, rising above the minor flood stage of 22.0 feet. This is the 74th highest crest at this gage, and is the highest crest since 1/10/2024. This event is less than a 2-year ARI (50% AEP) per USGS StreamStats. Only minor lowland flooding was observed with this event.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, August 2024
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: 1208504, 1208507, 1208491, 1208510, 1208508, 1208509, 1208511, 1213598, 1213599, 1213602, 1213606, 1213605, 1214462, 1214464, 1214465, 1214493, 1214325, 1214291, 1214303, 1214306, 1214321, 1214340, 1214344, 1214454, 1214474, 1214475, 1214496, 1214472, 1214494, 1214495, 1214461, 1208490, 1214311, 1214309, 1214497, 1214498, 1214504, 1214499, 1208495, 1214500, and more.