Flash Flood — Salem (c), Virginia

2013-07-10 · near Salem (c), Salem (c), Virginia

Event narrative

Over 18 inches of water was reported flowing across portions of Green Ridge Road as 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in 1 to 2 hours.

Wider weather episode

Another approaching trough and associated short-wave activity began to affect the southwest Virginia on the 10th with rising precipitable water and scattered to numerous thunderstorms developing in the very unstable air mass. One of the more intense thunderstorm cells arrived over Roanoke City in the late afternoon with tremendous downpours over the northern part of the city causing significant urban and flash flooding over this area, mainly in the Peters Creek basin. Several hourly rain gages (IFLOWS and ASOS) showed 1-hour amounts of 2 to 4 inches ending at 20Z in this small area, with much lesser amounts not far distant.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.3059, -80.0270)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 464014. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.