The National Weather Service expanded the flood watch for Floyd County and the surrounding regions Thursday morning warning the likelihood of heavy rains and flooding through 7 a.m. Saturday.
With rain piling on top of what are already records amount of precipitation for 2018, with more water expected News Year’s Eve and into the first day of 2019.
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING… The Flood Watch continues for * Portions of North Carolina and Virginia, including the following areas, in North Carolina, Alleghany NC, Ashe, Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yadkin. In Virginia, Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Roanoke, and Rockbridge. * Into Saturday morning. * Additional rainfall today around an inch, locally higher amounts along eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge. * Minor to moderate flooding of small creeks and streams is possible. This would result in flooding of roads and poor drainage areas. Minor flooding is also possible along main stem rivers and tributaries, including the Roanoke, Dan, James, Yadkin, and Watauga River basins. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
More Information
Flooding Possible Today… .A deep low pressure system tracking from the south central U.S. toward the Great Lakes will draw abundant Gulf moisture northward into the eastern United States ahead of an associated slow moving cold front. Storm total rainfall of 1 to 3 inches of rain, locally higher amounts along and east of the Blue Ridge. This rain will be falling on ground that remains saturated resulting in excessive runoff, and likely flooding small streams and creeks into tonight. Mainstem river flooding will also likely be renewed today. River flooding may reach near moderate levels along the lower portion of the Dan and Roanoke Rivers, and may continue into early next week.
What’s hitting the area right now if not pretty.
Reports Kevin Myatt, weather guru for The Roanoke Times:
Another strong low-pressure system tracking well to our northwest will be sweeping abundant Gulf of Mexico moisture and milder air northward, leading to periods of rain setting in Thursday evening and continuing into Friday. Pouring on so much saturated ground and already elevated streams, some may go over their banks, and there may be some other localized flooding of streets and ditches and low spots.
We will continue to watch the forecasts and warnings and report changes.
