Salem (c) storm history

Widespread flooding occurred across the City of Salem as several rounds of heavy rainfall occurred over several days. 48-hour rainfall amounts ending 12Z on the 4th ranged from 4 to 6 inches with isolated 8-inch totals. Two mobile home parks in Salem were evacuated due to high wa…

Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple trees along Illinois Avenue.

Thunderstorm winds downed multiple trees and large limbs, along with powerlines. A car window was damaged, and roof damage occurred to apartment balcony awnings, which were completely removed.

Horners Branch was observed flowing out of its banks up to 3 feet deep across Main Street in the City of Salem. Multiple cars were reported stalled in the floodwaters.

Several roads were reported flooded and impassible in the area surrounding Roanoke College.

Heavy rainfall, combined with poor drainage, caused standing water around 2.5 feet deep to pool along Kessler Mill Road. No damage was reported to the road, which was open to traffic after the water receded.

Thunderstorm winds downed a tree near the intersection of Electric Road and Greenridge Road.

A few trees were blown down from thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm winds blew multiple limbs down along west Riverside Drive, snapped and fell a thirty to fifty foot tall tree, and downed several large trees that blocked Wildwood road near the Food Lion. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm winds downed multiple limbs and two trees along Apperson Drive near the American Legion. Damage values are estimated.

The IFLOWS stream gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) crested above Minor flood stage of 7 feet early on the 18th, cresting at 7.60 feet and closing several roads in Salem, including the Mill Lane Bridge.

The Mill Lane low water bridge in Salem was entirely underwater and portions of W. Riverside Drive was flooded and closed along with several other roads in Salem. The nearby Salem Pump Station IFLOWS gage (SPSV2) crested at around 9.1 feet. Minor flood stage is 7 feet.

The persistent heavy rains produced a substantial landslide in Salem in the 2400 block of Franklin Street. An eyewitness in a media report described it, 'all of a sudden the land just started moving. The whole point of the mountain started sliding down, trees falling everywhere.'…

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 …

The Roanoke River through Salem flooded due to the heavy rainfall from Michael and the predecessor rainfall event. Several roads were closed and businesses affected by the flood waters. The Riverwalk Apartments along the Roanoke River in Salem were evacuated and 42 units received…

The Roanoke River IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) rose above the minor flood stage of 7 feet on the morning of the 23rd and crested at 9.5 feet toward midday. The Mill Lane bridge was closed and flooding occurred along portions of Riverside Drive.

The Roanoke River IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) rose above the minor flood stage of 7 feet on the morning of the 17th and crested at 10.1 feet. The Mill Lane bridge was closed and flooding occurred along portions of Riverside Drive.

A large limbed was snapped off of a tree along Tennessee Street by thunderstorm winds.

One tree was blown down by thunderstorm winds along Butt Hollow Road, while another was blown down along Shirley Road.

Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds near River Road in West Salem.

Mill Lane bridge in Salem closed due to flooding from the Roanoke River. The IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) crested at 8.5 feet (Minor Flood Stage = 7 feet) during the early afternoon of the 23rd and remained above flood stage into the morning of 24th.

Flooding occurred along portions of Mason Creek threatening several mobile home parks but causing no evacuations. The Mason Creek gage (MSCV2) crested at 7.5 feet (Minor Flood Stage = 7 ft.) around midday and remained above flood stage through mid-afternoon.

Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds on West Riverside Drive near Kingsmill Drive. In addition, a roof was ripped off of a building on Industrial Drive.

The Roanoke River flooded the Mill Lane bridge in Salem, cresting at the Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) at 8.0 feet (Minor Flood Stage - 7 ft).

Rainfall was generally 1 to 2 inches across the City of Salem during the day but the heavier rain upstream brought a significant flood wave was downstream along the mainstem Roanoke River through the City. The Salem Pump Station IFLOWS gage (SPSV2) on the Roanoke rose above flood…

Rainfall was generally 1 to 2 inches across the City of Salem during the day. Several roads were reported closed in the City of Salem. A voluntary evacuation was made from Ramey Mobile Home Park along Mason Creek which crested at 7.5 ft (Flood Stage = 7 ft) at the upstream gage (…

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.

Lightning struck a house in the 500 block of Craig Avenue. The strike impacted the electrical system of the house and caused a fire that started in the basement. In addition to damage to the electrical system, the house sustained smoke damage. Firefighting efforts also caused wat…

Thunderstorm winds damaged two large tents and destroyed another at the Salem Civic Center during a horse show. No people or animals were injured.

Four to five inches of water was observed flowing over Cravens Creek Road where it crosses Barnhardt Creek.

A low water bridge on Epperly Lane was flooded.

Prolonged heavy rainfall caused the Roanoke River to overflow its banks along sections of Riverside Road.

The Salem Fire Department observed quarter-sized hail on Electric Road, which is approximately four miles west-northwest of Roanoke. A car dealership in Salem reported $1,500 to $2,200 dollars damage to each of their 300 cars from the large hail.

Thunderstorm winds blew trees down across the City of Salem. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm winds blew part of large sign down. Damage values are estimated.

Quarter size hail covered the ground.

Hail the size of quarters fell in the 400 block of High Street.

Thunderstorm winds blew several large limbs down on West 4th Street. Also, the winds blew two trees and many limbs down in the 400 block of High Street. Damage values are estimated.

A 66 mph wind gust was measured at the Salem Civic Center.

Quarter size hail fell between Routes 311 and 419 within the City of Salem. Winds also brought one tree down in this same area. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm winds blew two trees down at Salem City Hall. Damage values are estimated.

Thunderstorm winds damaged the roof of a church. Damage values are estimated.

A large tree was blown down and blocked a road.

Two large tree limbs were blown down. Damage values are estimated.

A girl was indirectly struck by lightning at a drive-in fast food restaurant. Her shoe was blown off her foot, but she was not injured.