A very wet pattern developed in the days leading up to and through Christmas beginning around the 21st.  A deep southerly flow between a trough over the western U.S. and powerhouse ridge off the east coast brought extremely high moisture and warmth across much of the eastern U.S. during this period. Precipitable water readings were 2 to 3 times normal late December values for several days and numerous record high temperatures occurred across the entire region. Rainfall was generally light to moderate on the 21st and 22nd with 0.25��� up to around 1.00��� each day. Heavier rains developed on the 23rd as low pressure tracked out of the Gulf coast toward the southern Appalachians. Rainfall of 1��� to 2.5��� ending at 12z (7 AM EST) on the 24th prompted the first of several river Flood warnings along the lower Dan and Roanoke river basins.  Heavy rains continued into the 24th with several bands of more intense rainfall across mountains and then across the Piedmont. A swath of 1 to 2+ inches of rain fell across portions of Pittsylvania, Halifax and Charlotte counties in a 6-hour period ending at 18z (1 PM EST) on the 24th producing flash flooding. Numerous roads were reported closed by VA Department of Transportation by mid-afternoon on the 24th across all three of these counties. River flooding developed along the Dan and lower Roanoke rivers as a result of the runoff with several gauges reaching moderate flood stage.

Flash Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 24-DEC-15 10:34:00 to 24-DEC-15 16:34:00 (EST-5)
Location: BARKSDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

At least six or seven roads were closed across Halifax County from Paces up through Nathalie.

Flash Flood in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 24-DEC-15 11:42:00 to 24-DEC-15 17:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: SAXE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Flooding was reported on Saxkey Road near Saxe.

Flash Flood in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 24-DEC-15 11:00:00 to 24-DEC-15 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GRETNA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Flooding along Georges Creek took out a private bridge, cutting off access to a mobile home park near Gretna. In addition, as many as 26 roads across the county were closed due to flooding during the day.

Flood in CHARLOTTE, VIRGINIA
From 24-DEC-15 07:30:00 to 26-DEC-15 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: RANDOLPH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Roanoke River at Randolph (RNDV2) crested at 25.35 feet at 12:00 EST on Dec. 25th. Flood stage is 21 feet and Moderate Flood Stage is 24 feet. Several roads on the Charlotte County side of the river were closed including Route 607 with several feet of water over the road. This was the highest reading on this gage since January 27, 2010 (26.86 ft.).

Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 24-DEC-15 07:30:00 to 26-DEC-15 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MT LAUREL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Roanoke River at Randolph (RNDV2) crested at 25.35 feet at 12:00 EST on Dec. 25th. Flood stage is 19 feet and Moderate Flood Stage is 24.0 feet. Several roads on the Halifax County side of the river were closed including Black Walnut Road with several feet of water over the road. This was the highest crest on the Randolph gage since January 27, 2010 (26.86 ft.).