Flash Flood in Dickenson County, Virginia

Flooding became exacerbated by continued rainfall, resulting in flash flooding and many impassable roads in the vicinity of Clintwood, Haysi, Clinchco, Davenport, and Breaks, among others. Roads impacted by flooding included Road Branch, Jack Childress Hollow, Rakes Ridge, Sandlick Road, Lick Creek Road, Lauren Branch, Dickenson Highway, Greenbrier Road, Splashdam Road, Breaks Park Road, Chase Street, Main Street in Clintwood, Short Street and surrounding roads, Power House Hollow, Fox Town Road, Old Road, Pioneer Street, Jessee Street, Cutter Creek, Ralph Cummins Avenue, Wave Drive, Rush Creek, Priest Fork, and West Dante.

Light precipitation entered into southeast Virginia on the evening of February 14th, with more substantial rain spreading across the area overnight into the 15th as a warm front approached from the south. Moderate to heavy rain continued to push overhead for the next 24 hours as low pressure tracked across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Rain turned to snow as cold air moved in behind a cold front, then light snow showers lingered into the 17th.

Three to five inches of rain fell across portions of southwest Virginia during this period of time, resulting in considerable to catastrophic damage for several communities. A flash flood emergency was issued for Buchanan and Dickenson Counties in southwest Virginia. In addition to numerous impassable roads, flood waters rose halfway up a bank building in Hurley. Water rescues and evacuations took place as vehicles became stranded and water began to impact homes near Grundy.