Roanoke (c) storm history

A 53-year old woman was reported to have drowned in the Roanoke River during flooding from Florence although details were lacking in terms of location and timing. The Roanoke River at Roanoke (RONV2) crested at 11.41 feet (10,200 cfs) around mid-day on the 17th. Minor flood stage…

A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KVAROANO157) recorded 4.15 inches of rainfall in a 2-hour period on its way to a storm total of 4.29 inches, with rainfall rates at one point reaching nearly 7 inches per hour for a brief period of time. This event was nearly a 500…

The ASOS at the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (KROA) recorded at daily rainfall total of 4.27 inches, most of which fell between 6:50 pm EDT and 8:50 pm EDT. This was a new daily rainfall record for August 21, surpassing the old record of 1.73 set in 1960. This was also Roa…

A CoCoRaHS observer (VA-RNC-3) recorded a 24-hour total of 2.38 inches of rain ending 7 am EDT on August 22nd. Most of the rain fell during a 2-hour period the previous evening.

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Roanoke 8 N (ROAV2, 44-7278) recorded a 24-hour total of 2.30 inches of rain ending 8 am EDT on August 22nd. Most of the rain fell during a 2-hour period the previous evening.

Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple power lines near the intersection of 29th Street and Avenham Avenue.

Thunderstorm winds blew down several large tree limbs near the intersection of Westside Boulevard and Panorama Avenue.

Thunderstorm winds blew down one tree near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Osborne Street.

The Roanoke River at Roanoke, VA (RONV2) crested at 14.26 feet (14,343 cfs) at 1:40 am EST on the 16th above the Moderate Flood Stage of 12 feet (Minor Flood Stage is 10 feet). This was caused by between 2.5 and 2.75 inches of rain falling over a 9 hour period ending at around 7:…

The Roanoke City Emergency Manager reported that flooding was observed at the intersection of 10th Street and Campbell Street Southwest near downtown Roanoke, an area that frequently floods during periods of heavy rain. Multiple vehicles were stranded in standing water that rose …

Runoff from heavy rain caused the railroad underpass along Wiley Drive to become flooded with about two feet of standing water and impassible until the water drained away. No damage was reported.

A poor drainage issue during heavy rain caused Campbell Avenue to become flooded by several inches of standing water. The road was open to traffic after the drain blockage was cleared.

The low water crossing on Wise Street at Tinker Creek became partially submerged as Tinker Creek rose to a crest of 5.85 feet, which is well within its banks. No damage to the road was reported as it is designed to begin becoming flooded at this stage.

Runoff from heavy rainfall was observed pooling several inches deep across the intersection of Walnut Avenue and 8th Street. No damage to the roadways was reported.

The intersection of Jamison Avenue and 9th Street is flooded and impassible by several inches of flowing water caused by 3 to 4 inches of rainfall, with rates as high as 6 inches per hour. No damage was reported at the intersection, and the road was reopened to traffic after the …

Shafer's Crossing between 24th Street and Boulevard Street is flooded and impassible due to 2 to 3 inches of rainfall within a 90-minute period, with rainfall rates ranging from 4 to 5 inches per hour per MRMS estimates. CREST Unit Streamflow was estimated to be between 400 and 6…

Glade Creek was observed out of its banks and flowing across Walnut Avenue at least 6 inches deep due to between 3 and locally 5 inches of rainfall within a 2-hour period falling in the basin. Rainfall rates were observed to be as high as 5 inches per hour at times. No damage was…

A personal weather station (Weather Underground: KVAVINTO1) measured a 2-hour rainfall amount of 3.02 inches. This amount is around a 50-year rainfall event per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates.

Thunderstorm winds downed and damaged trees along Horseman Road. Damage values are estimated.

Lightning struck a tree near a house on Denniston Avenue, causing a large limb to fall off the tree, damaging a nearby vehicle.

Portions of Salem Avenue and Campbell Avenue were flooded with up to 4 feet of standing water as heavy rain overwhelmed the storm sewer system. Five water rescues were performed as cars drove into the flood waters, causing the vehicles to stall. No injuries were reported. Broadca…

About 1.5 inches of rain from a thunderstorm fell during a 45 minute period. Runoff from the rainfall caused water to pond 12-18 inches deep at the intersection of Campbell Avenue and 10th Street SW, an intersection known to flood during heavy rainfall. The intersection closed by…

Rain amounts between 1.5 and 1.75 inches fell from a thunderstorm within a 45 minute period across portions of the downtown area in the City of Roanoke. Runoff from this rainfall resulted in about three feet of standing water near the intersection of Salem Avenue and 1 1/2 Street…

An automated personal weather station (KVAROANO148) recorded 1.53 inches of rainfall from a thunderstorm during a 45 minute period inside the City of Roanoke. Rainfall rates during this event were in excess of 4 inches per hour at one point. This was between a 5-year and 10-year …

A car wash sustained severe structural damage when the hillside immediately behind the building gave way and smashed through the rear wall of the building.

The Roanoke River at Roanoke, VA (RONV2) was above flood stage (10 feet) on November 12th, and crested at the moderate flood stage of 14.07 feet (14,000 cfs) at 12:35 PM EST on November 12th, the 13th highest crest on record for this gauge. This was between a 5- and 10-year Avera…

The Roanoke River at Roanoke (RONV2) crested at 11.91 feet, above the Minor flood stage of 10 feet early in the morning of June 18th. Several roads and low water bridges were flooded.

Media reports showed water overtopping a portion of Spring Valley Dam in Roanoke leading to the evacuation of 13 homes due to the potential risk of a dam failure.

The Roanoke ASOS (ROA) set date rainfall records for three consecutive days: May 19, 20 and 21 with 2.84 inches, 2.76 inches and 2.72 inches, respectively. These were also the 5th, 6th and 7th wettest days in May in the period of climate data for Roanoke back to 1912. The 3-day t…

The Roanoke River at Roanoke crested at 11.74 feet (10,500 cfs) on the afternoon of the 13th, above the Minor flood stage of 10 feet. Several low water bridges were flooded along with the Roanoke Greenway.

There were several reports of flash flooding around Roanoke City including a car that was submerged in flood waters covering the intersection of Walnut Avenue and 4th Street. The intersection was closed. Social media photos showed flooding on Franklin Road at Wonju Street. A muds…

The ASOS at Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport (ROA) measured 1.78 inches on April 13th. This broke the date record for April 13th of 1.05 inches set in 1949. Records exist back to 1912 at Roanoke.

Large and damaging hail up to two inches in diameter fell across portions of southwest Roanoke City, including Grandin Court. Some cars were damaged by the hail.

A record rainfall of 1.49 inches was set at Roanoke, VA (ROA) for December 20, breaking the old record of 1.31 inches set in 1946. Official climate records for Roanoke date back to 1912.

The Roanoke River at Roanoke gage (RONV2) crested at 16.64 feet on the afternoon of the 11th, above the Major flood stage of 16 feet. It was the 7th highest crest since the current datum was established in 1937 and the highest since September 28, 2004 when the river reached 17.82…

Extremely high sustained rain rates (2-4 inches per hour) became concentrated across parts of the Roanoke area between 1100 AM to 200 PM local time. At 243 PM a rare Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Roanoke City, City of Salem and Roanoke County after consultation with local …

Flash flooding was observed in parts of Roanoke City. Ore Branch flooded near the Ramada Inn on Franklin Road with some hotel customers moved to different locations. Water was also reported flowing over Franklin Road, Brambleton Road and in the Raleigh Court area. A home basement…

Extensive flooding occurred from Mudlick Creek along Grandin and Garst Mill Roads with water getting into many homes. Post-flood survey indicated a recurrence interval of about 10 years (0.1 annual exceedance probability) on Mudlick Creek as the stream rose roughly 10 feet above …

At least six roads were flooded and closed due to flash flooding in Roanoke City. Among the roads closed was Edgewood St. along Mudlick Creek, north of Brandon Road. The Peters Creek Road off-ramp from Route 581 was also closed. An automated rain gauge in the Garden City area of …

Roanoke Airport (ROA) set a daily rainfall record for May 17 with 2.71 inches. The old record was 1.43 inches in 1922. Official records at Roanoke date back to 1912.

The Roanoke River at Roanoke (RONV2) gage crested at 10.58 feet (Minor Flood Stage = 10 ft.) near midday on the 23rd. The bike trail along the river was closed due to flood waters and the low water brdige at Wiley Drive was well under water.

Thunderstorm winds blew several trees down on Norway Avenue, additional trees were blown down on the west side of the City of Roanoke in the Norwood Forest region, between Greenridge Road and Peters Creek Road. One tree fell on a home causing minor damage.

A lightning strike caused a home to catch fire.

Heavy rain, with nearly 1.2 inches falling within 20 minutes and more than 2 inches within an hour, combined with poor drainage to cause urban flooding across portions of the city of Roanoke. Water was up to the bumpers of cars in several intersections requiring EMS crews to esco…

News and social media provided numerous photos and videos of urban flooding in the City of Roanoke. Up to six people were rescued or escorted by EMS crews from stalled vehicles around the city. Shaffer's Crossing on Boulevard Street SW is a favored location for urban runoff and a…

The Roanoke River flooded through the city of Roanoke due mainly to the very heavy rains across the upper basin. Rainfall in the city was generally around 1 inch during the day but up to 4 inches fell across the headwaters in Montgomery County. The USGS gage and NWS forecast poin…

The City of Roanoke 911 Center reported that a tree was down at the intersection of Wonju Street and Franklin Street. A second tree was also blown down by thunderstorm winds at the intersection of Prospect Road and J.P. Fishburn Parkway.

Urban flooding due to heavy rain led to closure of intersection of Campbell and Patterson Avenues.