Flash Flood — Smyth, Virginia

2024-09-26 · near Sugar Grove, Smyth, Virginia

Event narrative

The Smyth County Emergency Manager reported that two residents along Flat Ridge Road were rescued from their home when water from Cressy Creek rose up into their homes. Water was 6-12 deeper than normal around the home and was still rising at the time of rescue. No injuries were reported. It is unknown if the creek water actually entered either of the homes.

Wider weather episode

An upper level low was situated in the vicinity of western Tennessee, while a strong upper ridge was positioned over the southeast coast, which helped to steer Hurricane Helene into the Florida Big Bend during the evening of September 26. Ahead of Helene, the Predecessor Rainfall Event (PRE) that developed on the 25th continued to intensify as upper level areas of low pressure rotating around the upper low continued drawing deep tropical moisture from the Carolina coastal region, which supported nearly continual waves of showers and storms over western Virginia through the day. Through the 26th, rivers and creeks began to rise as four to eight inches of rain fell through the day mainly along and west of Interstate 77. At times, localized rates of two inches per hour were observed. In addition, as Hurricane Helene approached the area, winds above the surface increased in speed, and the showers and isolated storms helped bring these strong winds to the surface, resulting in reports of downed trees.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (36.7622, -81.3935)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1219028. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.