As harder rains hit our area, including Southwestern Floyd County, the National Weather Service has upgrading its flash flood warnings and wind advisory.
Power outages struck the county throughout the day and into the evening with 450 out around Pilot (Floyd and Montgomery County), 192 along Sandy Flats and Poor Farm areas along with smaller spots.
The flood warning from the National Weather Service office in Blacksburg:
The National Weather Service in BLACKSBURG has extended the * Flash Flood Warning for… Alleghany County in northwestern North Carolina… Surry County in northwestern North Carolina… Northeastern Wilkes County in northwestern North Carolina… Southwestern Floyd County in southwestern Virginia… Carroll County in southwestern Virginia… The City of Galax in southwestern Virginia… Southeastern Grayson County in southwestern Virginia… Western Patrick County in southwestern Virginia… * Until 300 AM EDT * At 1103 PM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling across the warned area. 3-4 inches of rain has already fallen across much of Stokes County during the past six hours. An area of very heavy rainfall, associated with the remnants of former Hurricane Florence, was moving northwest through the county at this hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 2- 4 inches are possible within the next three hours. Flash flooding has already been observed in or near the area and additional flash flooding is imminent as the rainfall continues. * Some locations that will experience flooding include… Mount Airy… Galax… Elkin… Fairview… and Flat Rock. Excessive rainfall over the warned area will cause mud slides near steep terrain. The mud slide can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials. This includes the following streams and drainages… Oldfield Creek… Little Pauls Creek… Big Sandy Creek… Mulberry Creek… and Wood Fork. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. If you are in the warned area move to higher ground immediately. Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property. When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of flooding, including mudslides or flooded roads, to the National Weather Service by calling toll free at 1…8 6 6…2 1 5…4 3 2 4. Reports and pictures can also be shared on the National Weather Service Blacksburg Facebook page and on Twitter.
The wind advisory:
…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT MONDAY… * Winds…East 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * Timing…Through early Monday morning. * Impacts…These wind gusts combined with saturated soils will cause some trees to fall. Scattered power outages are possible as well. * Locations…Along the Blue Ridge from Patrick County, south to Wilkes, then west to the Grayson Highlands. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… This Wind Advisory is issued for gusts of 35 to 45 mph combining with wet soils to potentially down trees and cause power outages. Secure any outdoor loose objects and be alert to the potential for downed trees and power outages.