The synoptic pattern during the most of the first week of July was favorable for heavy precipitation as the Blacksburg Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) remained within a mean upper trough between two very strong ridges over the western U.S. and over the western Atlantic. Deep southerly flow into the mountains persisted flow through most of this period combining with disturbances emanating from the Ohio Valley to produce scattered to widespread rainfall each day. The persistent synoptic setup was favorable for heavy rain. On the afternoon of the 2nd clusters of storms tracked from the Carolinas north into the portions of the Blue Ridge and parts of New and upper Roanoke river basins. Rainfall amounts were impressive over a large area with widespread 2 to 4 inch amounts across these basins by 12Z on the 3rd, with isolated totals in excess of 4 inches.  Heavy rainfall continued moving from south to north on the 3rd with widespread minor flooding reported  by the afternoon and evening.  The concentration of rainfall across the upper Roanoke basin brought rapid rises both the North and South Forks of the Roanoke River and prompted a River Flood Warning for the Roanoke River forecast point (RONV2) issued at 1204 AM on the 4th, at which time the Roanoke gage had already reached flood stage of 10 feet. The river rose from a stage of 3.56��� (1540 cfs) at around 00Z on the 4th (7 PM EDT) to 10.83��� (10,600 cfs) in just a little over 6 hours, finally cresting at 14.38��� the highest since September 2004 and 10th highest on record. This was also the first time since 1905 at Roanoke that the river reached flood stage in July, although that was measured on a different datum and may not be comparable. Additional rainfall through 12Z on the 4th ranged from 3 to 5 inches across parts of the upper Roanoke and James River basins and a few 24-hour totals were even more impressive including Mason Creek IFLOWS (MSCV2) at 6.30���, New Castle IFLOWS (NECV2) 4.61���, Mason Cove IFLOWS (MASV2) 4.30��� and Craig Valley RAWS (CVGV2) 4.21���.

Flood in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 04-JUL-13 06:40:00 to 04-JUL-13 09:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: WOOLWINE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A mudslide was reported on Route 8 northbound about two miles south of the Patrick-Floyd county line.

Flood in SALEM (C), VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 23:00:00 to 04-JUL-13 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALEM (C)
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

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 water along Mason Creek and the Salem swift water rescue team performed 12 boat rescues. The Roanoke River through Salem was above flood stage at the Salem Pump Station IFLOWS gage (SPSV2) from the late evening hours of the 3rd through much of July 4th. The gage crested at 9.9 feet (Flood Stage is 7.0 feet) on the afternoon of the 4th. Numerous smaller streams also flooded including Dry Creek and Mason Creek. A person was apparently swept or fell into Dry Creek in Salem during the late afternoon or evening of the 4th when creeks were near their peak stages.

Flood in ROANOKE (C), VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 22:00:00 to 04-JUL-13 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROANOKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Rainfall of 4 to 6 inches with isolated 8-inch amounts in roughly a 48-hour period ending early on July 4th caused widespread flooding across the City of Roanoke. Over two dozen roads in the city were closed at various times and a running race was cancelled due to flooded roads. Local streams including Peters Creek and Tinker Creek were flooded. Residents on Meadowbrook Road were evacuated as Peters Creek rose. The local runoff combined with heavy rains across the upper Roanoke River basin to cause the mainstem Roanoke River to flood along much of its course through the City of Roanoke. The USGS river gage at Walnut Avenue (RONV2) crested at 14.38 feet (Minor Flood Stage is 10 feet; Moderate Flood Stage is 12 feet) at 1 AM EST on the 4th. This was the highest stage on the river since September 2004 and the first flood in July since 1905.

Flood in BOTETOURT, VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 22:00:00 to 04-JUL-13 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SPRINGWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A Botetourt County man was drowned while attempting to clear a blocked culvert near his home near Buchanan. The man fell into the stream around 4:45 AM and was caught in the current. A Flood Warning was in effect for the entire county at the time.

Flash Flood in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 05-JUL-13 00:00:00 to 05-JUL-13 01:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HILLSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Heavy rain washed out Chinquapin Trail due to a failed culvert near the intersection of Dogwood Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 04-JUL-13 15:28:00 to 04-JUL-13 15:28:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELAMSVILLE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.30K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

One tree blown down on Route 57 near the Goose Market loop.

Thunderstorm Wind in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 04-JUL-13 15:30:00 to 04-JUL-13 15:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: DODSON
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Several trees were blown down in the state park.

Flood in GALAX (C), VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 12:00:00 to 03-JUL-13 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GALAX
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Water was 6 to 8 inches deep along portions of Givens Street and Railrod Avenue.

Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 15:01:00 to 03-JUL-13 18:01:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BOSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Summit Drive was washed out close to Railroad Avenue and a road was washed out along Poplar Creek.

Flood in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 20:15:00 to 03-JUL-13 23:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: POAGES MILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The prolonged heavy rain caused as landslide along Highway 221 near the intersection of Poage Valley Road.

Flood in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 03-JUL-13 20:30:00 to 03-JUL-13 23:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: POAGES MILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A landslide occurred along Highway 221 near the intersection of Mount Chestnut Road.