Flash Flood — Madison, Virginia

2025-05-13 to 2025-05-14 · near Locust Dale, Madison, Virginia

Event narrative

The stream gauge on the Robinson River at Locust Dale rose rapidly (6 feet in 2 hours), reaching flood stage by 11:45 PM.

Wider weather episode

A slow moving closed upper level low originating from the Gulf of America brought anomalous moisture into the area. A long duration period of rain ensued, with rain rates exceeding two inches an hour during the afternoon and evening of May 13th. The slow moving storms coupled with training led to localized rainfall totals of four to eight inches across the Blue Ridge, with lesser amounts of two to four inches along and west of I-95. Flooding lingered into the morning hours of May 14th.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.3364, -78.0921)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1245828. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.