A moist and unstable air mass was in place from July 14 through July 15. This allowed for widespread, slow-moving storms to move across portions of central, southern, and southeastern Virginia.
Every event with a place to put it. 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 AKQ wrote it up.
A moist and unstable air mass was in place from July 14 through July 15. This allowed for widespread, slow-moving storms to move across portions of central, southern, and southeastern Virginia. These storms produced heavy rain and widespread flash flooding in two rounds. One round was from overnight convection on the night of July 14 into the morning of July 15 and the other round was during the afternoon of July 15. Widespread rainfall totals of 2-4 inches were observed across south-central and southern Virginia as well as the Northern Neck with localized totals of 5-7 inches between eastern Dinwiddie County to western Surry County. The highest measured total was 7.33 inches from the Petersburg, Dinwiddie County Airport ASOS/AWOS. Given the very heavy rainfall and saturated soil leading up to the event, a flash flood emergency was issued in Petersburg on the night of July 14 through the morning of July 15.
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 Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 14, 7:24 PM EST, 4 hours 36 minutes earlier.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
824 PM EDT Mon Jul 14 2025
.SYNOPSIS...
An unsettled weather pattern continues into midweek with
scattered thunderstorms possible each day. Heavy rainfall and
localized flooding will be possible each day before the heat
rebuilds Thursday and Friday.
&&
.NEAR TERM /UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY MORNING/...
As of 259 PM EDT Monday...
Key Messages:
- Flood Watch in effect through late tonight for most of our VA
counties just inland of the Chesapeake Bay, and has been
expanded to include Dorchester and Wicomico in MD.
- Gusty winds and heavy rainfall will accompany the convection
this evening and tonight.
Convection has developed along a sea breeze boundary in Hampton
Roads area, and has remained relatively stationary, prompting the
issuance of a Flash Flood Warnings for portions of Norfolk and VA
Beach. Otherwise, it has remained mostly quiet across the remainder
of the local area aside from the occasional pop-up sea breeze shower
along the coast and Eastern Shore. GOES Visible imagery is
highlighting a widespread cumulus field across basically the
entirety of the forecast area. Local radars are detecting a line of
storm to the west of our area that are slowly approaching our
piedmont counties.
This afternoon's setup is featuring a similar environment to the
past few days with ample instability, minimal inhibition, and
anomalously high PW values. Shear will continue to be a limiting
factor. With the steering flow being almost non-existent, the main
threat will continue to be flash-flooding, though strong winds are
possible from water-loaded downdrafts. The sea breeze convection
will continue to push out outflow boundaries, so this could prolong
convection in SE VA and NE NC for a few hours. A weak shortwave will
move across the area just to our north this evening into tonight. As
this is a transient feature, these storms will likely not be quite
as stagnant as the ongoing daytime storms and be more
linear/organized, but will still bring very heavy rainfall to the
area that could produce additional flooding concerns. These slower
moving storms, combined with PW values of 2"+, will lead to periods
of heavy rainfall for localized areas across our forecast area this
evening into tonight. With the antecedent rainfall we have seen over
the past few days, flash-flood guidance continues to be lower,
especially in more vulnerable areas such as the Richmond metro and
adjacent areas, so it will not take much rainfall to lead to
flooding. WPC has a majority of our forecast area in a Slight ERO
today, and scattered instances of flash-flooding are possible. A
Marginal ERO is in place across far SE VA and eastern North
Carolina.
Convection will taper off from west to east overnight, but could be
more prolonged than initially thought. CAMs have trended a little
slower, so have extended the Flood Watch until 6 am to account for
uncertainties in the timing. Overnight temperatures will drop into
the lower to mid 70s. The development of patchy fog is again a
possibility early tomorrow morning, and areas that receive rainfall
this evening into tonight may see areas of dense fog closer to
sunrise.
&&
.SHORT TERM /6 AM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT/...
As of 259 PM EDT Monday...
Key Messages:
- Unsettled pattern continues into Tuesday and Wednesday with
additional rounds of showers and storms as the front stalls
NW of the area.
The front that is currently draped across the Ohio River Valley will
likely inch a little closer to our area by Tuesday morning but is
expected to stall to our northwest. This setup will bring yet
another day of afternoon storms capable of gusty winds and heavy
rainfall that could lead to flash-flooding. WPC continues to
highlight our area with at least a Marginal ERO for now on Tuesday,
though would not be surprised if this is upgraded to a Slight ERO
due to the already saturated ground and the rainfall expected this
evening increasing the vulnerability of areas to additional
rainfall. A similar pattern continues into Wednesday with a bit more
flow aloft possible during the afternoon and evening as a shortwave
in the SW flow aloft potentially moves across the region. No real
changes in the airmass through Wednesday with PWATs remaining around
2" so the threat for localized heavy rainfall and gusty winds
persists. More cloud cover is expected with the front forecast to be
a little closer to the area Tuesday and the possibility of the
shortwave moving across the area Wednesday, so highs are forecast to
only reach the upper 80s with temperatures nearing 90 degrees in the
NE NC and SE VA.
&&
.LONG TERM /THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
As of 259 PM EDT Monday...
Key Message:
- Heat and humidity build late in the week with Heat Advisories
possible.
Looking ahead to late-week, upper ridging will build northwards into
the area through the weekend. With this change in the pattern,
convective coverage will likely diminish some, but due to the time
of year and weaker ridge, have maintained scattered PoPs for the
time being. With the decrease in cloud cover and storms expected
combined with the upper ridging, temperatures will be able to climb
into the lower 90s Thursday through Saturday, with Friday possibly
seeing mid 90s across the area. At the same time, there will be an
uptick in low level moisture and dew points will increase into the
mid to upper 70s. Heat indices, especially on Friday, could eclipse
105F+ so Heat Advisories may be required. On Saturday, temperatures
may not be quite as warm, so Heat Advisories may be necessary only
in the southern portion of our area.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
As of 815 PM EDT Monday...
Thunderstorms are becoming more numerous and forming a broken
line to the NW of the main terminals, from northern VA back SW
across the central VA piedmont. Earlier sea-breeze induced
storms near the coast have diminished and radar trends suggest
lower chances for showers and storms later tonight across SE VA
and NE NC. Have maintained PROB30 groups for ORF/PHF, from ~03
to ~06Z (confidence being too low for TEMPO). The chances are
greater at RIC/SBY and have added TEMPO groups for tstms from
01-04Z at RIC, and 02-05Z at SBY. Heavy rain will potentially
reduce VSBYs to IFR-LIFR thresholds, and gusty winds will be
possible (especially at SBY). After 06Z, the best chance for
showers and tstms continuing will be at SBY, with more uncertainty
elsewhere. With a more widespread cloud shield, SSW winds and
some ongoing mixing, think the overall coverage of fog will be
less than the past few nights at the main terminals, though
there is still a chance for some low stratus and MVFR VSBYs,
primarily from 09-14Z. Mainly VFR from late Tue morning through
early-mid aftn, but with additional showers/tstms developing
thereafter. After 18-19Z, have included PROB30 groups for tstms
at all terminals except ECG.
Outlook: Additional scattered to numerous afternoon and evening
thunderstorms are expected to recur Wed, along with the
potential for early morning fog/stratus. Shower/storm coverage
is forecast to be a bit lower late in the week.
&&
.MARINE...
As of 259 PM EDT Monday...
Key Messages:
- Benign marine conditions continue through Wednesday outside of
local influences from afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
- Small Craft Advisory conditions are possible Wednesday night into
Thursday, mainly across the Chesapeake Bay and lower James River.
High pressure is building off the SE CONUS coast this afternoon,
with 10-15kt SE winds over the waters and 1-2ft seas/waves. Expect a
slight uptick in winds (to ~15kt) later this aftn/this evening with
a few gusts to 20kt likely on the bay. Winds become S then SW
tonight and diminish to 5-10kt. Similar conditions continue Tuesday
with a mid-aftn to early evening sea-breeze influenced shift to SSE
10-15kt, before becoming SW ~10kt Tuesday night. The wind will
mainly be SSW 10-15kt Wednesday with high pressure continuing to
prevail offshore. Seas remain ~2ft Tuesday and build to 2-3ft
Wednesday, with waves on the bay in the 1-2ft range. The pressure
gradient tightens Wednesday night into Thursday as weak low pressure
tracks well to our north. Confidence in a period of SCA conditions
is increasing during this time, as local wind probabilities for
18kt+ winds have increased to 70-90% for a 6 hour period Wed
night/Thu AM. Winds decrease over the open water during the day on
Thu, but may become a bit gusty (to around 20kt) on the rivers/sound
as mixing over adjacent land areas increases. The wind diminishes by
Friday as the pressure gradient relaxes due to a weakening front
dropping to the region. Seas build to 3-4ft (2-3ft nearshore) by
Wednesday night and Thursday, with 2-3ft waves on the bay.
Isolated to scattered aftn/evening showers/tstms will continue much
of the week. The main hazards with tstms will be brief strong wind
gusts, frequent lighting, and reduced vsby in heavy rain.
&&
.AKQ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...Flood Watch until 6 AM EDT Tuesday for MDZ021-022.
NC...None.
VA...Flood Watch until 6 AM EDT Tuesday for VAZ048-060>062-064>069-
075>083-087-088-509>522.
MARINE...None.
&&
SYNOPSIS...RHR
NEAR TERM...NB
SHORT TERM...RHR
LONG TERM...NB
AVIATION...LKB/NB
MARINE...AJZ/ERIHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Wakefield VA 309 PM EDT Mon Jul 14 2025 MDZ023-NCZ012>014-030-VAZ084>086-089-090-092-093-096-523>525-151915- Somerset-Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Bertie-Gloucester-Middlesex- Mathews-Surry-James City-Southampton-Isle of Wight-Suffolk-York- Newport News-Hampton/Poquoson- 309 PM EDT Mon Jul 14 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, eastern Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Showers and storms are likely late this afternoon into late tonight. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds will accompany the stronger storms. Localized flash flooding is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Daily scattered showers and storms will remain possible each day through midweek. Additional rounds of locally heavy rain will also make instances of flash flooding possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. MDZ021-022-VAZ048-060>062-064>069-075>083-087-088-509>522-151915- Dorchester-Wicomico-Fluvanna-Prince Edward-Cumberland-Goochland- Caroline-Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-Westmoreland- Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Brunswick-Dinwiddie- Prince George (including Hopewell and Petersburg)-Charles City- New Kent-Greensville-Sussex-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa- Western Hanover-Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield- Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)- Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico- Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen- Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex- 309 PM EDT Mon Jul 14 2025 ...FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, central Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon 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. Showers and storms are likely late afternoon into the overnight. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds will accompany the stronger storms. Localized flash flooding is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Daily scattered showers and storms will remain possible each day through midweek. Additional rounds of locally heavy rain will also make additional instances of flash flooding possible. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation may be needed. MDZ024-025-NCZ015>017-031-032-102-VAZ095-097>100-151915- Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches-Pasquotank-Camden- Western Currituck-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck- Norfolk/Portsmouth-Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-Accomack-Northampton- 309 PM EDT Mon Jul 14 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, northeast North Carolina, eastern Virginia and southeast Virginia. .DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight. Showers and storms are possible this evening into late tonight. Heavy rainfall and gusty winds will accompany the stronger storms. Localized flash flooding is possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday. Daily scattered showers and storms will remain possible each day through midweek. Locally heavy rain and flash flooding are the primary concerns. Additionally, heat indices could reach 105F+ on Friday, so Heat Advisories may be required. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NB
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1130 PM EDT Mon Jul 14 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1127 PM Flash Flood 1 NNW Addison 37.21N 77.51W
07/14/2025 Dinwiddie VA NWS Employee
3-4 inches of water over the roadway on
River Road.
&&
05Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1206 AM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1157 PM Flash Flood 2 SSW Burgess 37.12N 77.52W
07/14/2025 Dinwiddie VA Dept of Highways
Standing water on I-85. The north travel
lanes are closed.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1215 AM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1020 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 SE Tunstall 37.59N 77.10W
07/14/2025 New Kent VA County Official
Trees downed on Old Church Rd near Tunstall.
&&
05Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1230 AM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1034 PM Flash Flood 2 NNE Naylors Beach 38.00N 76.85W
07/14/2025 Richmond VA Dept of Highways
Newland Road closed at Strangeway Road due
to flooding.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1249 AM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1134 PM Tstm Wnd Dmg 2 N Petersburg 37.23N 77.40W
07/14/2025 City of Petersburg VA Dept of Highways
VDOT reporting Exit 52 at Bank St is closed.
&&
05Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
1255 AM EDT Tue Jul 15 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1155 PM Flash Flood 1 SSE Matoaca 37.22N 77.47W
07/14/2025 Dinwiddie VA Public
Public reports Ferndale Rd impassable at
River Road due to water on the roadway via
Waze App. VDOT confirms River Road is closed
in the area.
&&
05The Norfolk radar (KAKQ), 44 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:59 UTC.
55 flash flood, 2 flood. Local standard time, as filed.
Lieutenant Run Creek at St. Andrews St. reached major flood stage, crested at 11.79 feet, and overtopped the bridge.
There were reports of an apartment flooding on West Bank Street in Petersburg. Several inches of water flooded the first floor of the apartment.
Residents of the first floor of apartments on Bank Street were evacuating due to rising water.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management in collaboration with the National Weather Service in Wakefield Virginia conducted a Virginia Incident Damage Assessment for the City of Petersburg after significant flooding on the night of July 14 into the morning of July 15. Widespread rainfall totals of 3-5 inches were observed across Petersburg with one report of 7.33 inches from the Petersburg, Dinwiddie County Airport ASOS/AWOS. The damage assessment found 38 damaged commercial buildings with a combined estimated damage of $3,863,288 and 16 damaged residential buildings with an estimated damage of $897,205. There was major damage to 9 commercial properties and 2 residential properties as well as minor damage to 14 commercial properties and 8 residential properties. The remainder of the properties noted above were affected by the flood waters, but were below minor damage criteria.
River street was under water by the old farmers market.
VDOT reported Butterwood Road was closed near Spring Farm Drive due to water on the roadway.
High water was reported along Sussex Drive outside of Waverly.
US Route 1 was closed near Franklin Street due to flooding.
Broadcast media reported that a home in Petersburg was unlivable due to the extent of flooding in the home. A picture of the home showed water up to the bottom of the windowsill. The picture also showed a submerged vehicle parked beside the home. The timestamp was estimated by radar with heavy rain occurring between 8:30 PM EST on July 14 through 4 AM EST on July 15.
Church Road was closed in the vicinity of Weakley Road due to flooding.
There were multiple reports of flooding across Surry County including VA Route 40 near the Sussex line.
There were multiple reports of flooding across Surry County including VA Route 10 near the solar farm.
High water was reported on Vicksville Road.
Flooding was reported on Jerusalem Plank Road.
A dispatcher reported a sink hole due to flooding on Camera Road.
A dispatcher reported high water at the intersection of Main Street and Coppahaunk Avenue.
Flooding was reported near the westbound lane of Route 10 and Salisbury Road.
Flooding was reported on Rocky Hock Road.
There were multiple reports of flooding on New Design Road.
There were reports of high water on County Drive near Wagner Road and the animal shelter.
High water was reported on Oaklawn Boulevard at the Petersburg line.
Reports of high water at Prince George Drive at Pine Ridge.
High water was reported on the 10000 block of Walton Lake Road.
High water was reported on the 8000 block of Robin Road.
High water was reported along W Quaker Road.
High water was reported along Baxter Road.
An NWS employee reported around 5 inches of water flowing over County Drive.
An employee at the Dinwiddie County Airport reported that the taxiway was flooded and that multiple airplane hangars were flooded.
Standing water was reported on Route 674 in the vicinity of Dry Bread Road. All north and south bound lanes were closed.
High water was reported at 12965 Dry Bread Road.
Water was reported to be covering the intersection of Walkers Mill Road and Stewart Road.
Standing water was reported along Route 616 southbound in the vicinity of Guy Place Road.
Standing water was reported along Route 645 East in the vicinity of Darden Scout Road.
Water was rushing over Country Club Road.
Water was rushing over Maple Lane and East Atlantic Street and the intersection of Windsor Street and East Atlantic Street.
Water was rushing over Lombardy Street.
Standing water was reported on Dakins Drive.
Flooding was reported across South Hill. Water depth up to the individual's calves. A mattress was also seen floating down one of the side streets.
Water was rushing over Bacon Fork Road.
Standing water was reported along US-1 North in the vicinity of Tower Road.
Water was reported to be rushing over Longview Drive.
Water was covering the intersection of North 4th Street and East Jackson Street.
Flooding was reported at the intersection of Brook Road and Belvidere Street.
Water was covering the intersection of Orcutt Lane and Kimrod Road.
Flooding at the intersection of Kendall Road and Snead Road.
There were multiple public reports of flooding on Fox Hill Road via waze.
Flooding was reported on Wolf Trap Road via waze.
Water was reported to be rushing over the intersection of Sussex Drive and Oakdale Road.
High water was reported along Starview Court.
High water was reported at the intersection of Royal Birkdale Drive and Ashdale Way.
A social media picture showed high water along Newstead Drive.
An NWS employee reported flooding on Chester Road near Perrymont Road.
A report from social media showed a roadway covered with water in the area of Brandermill.
Flooding was reported via mPING.
Standing water was reported on Route 4905 East in the vicinity of Flag Tail Drive.
High water was reported along Winterpock Road.
Flooding was reported on Lynhaven Parkway via waze.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Virginia in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Virginia, July 2025
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: 1281100, 1281101, 1281102, 1285771, 1281103, 1281104, 1281105, 1281208, 1285761, 1281212, 1281216, 1281217, 1281219, 1281220, 1281222, 1281223, 1281224, 1281225, 1281226, 1281227, 1281244, 1281245, 1282752, 1282753, 1282754, 1282755, 1282909, 1282910, 1282756, 1282757, 1282758, 1282911, 1282912, 1282913, 1282914, 1282915, 1283018, 1282916, 1282917, 1283009, and more.