Rainfall was moderate to heavy across much of south central and southwest Virginia from May 23-25. Storm total rain amounts ranged widely, from 1 to 6+ inches. Rainfall rates were not particularly high through most of the event but the continuous nature of the rains eventually led to flooding. All of the river flooding was in the minor category and several non-forecast points also rose above flood stage including Dunlap Creek (DLPV2) in Alleghany County, VA, Craig Creek Route 614 (CCIV2) in Craig County, Johns Creek at New Castle (JCRV2), Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge (COWV2),  Kerrs Creek near Lexington IFLOWS (KCKV2) and the New River at Allisonia (ALSV2).   Despite the fact that the gaged locations indicated mainly minor flooding, several county emergency officials reported many instances of substantially worse flooding. The most significant reports came out of Pulaski, Wythe, Grayson, and Carroll counties in VA.

Flood in WYTHE, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 17:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 05:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GUNTON PARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Much of eastern Wythe County saw flooding, from about Ivanhoe and Highway 94 east to the Pulaski County line. The worst flooding was in the Fort Chiswell area and around exit 86 on southbound I-81 which was closed for nearly three hours due to flooding.

Flood in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 25-MAY-17 12:15:00 to 26-MAY-17 00:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: BROOKNEAL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The USGS gauge at Brookneal (BROV2) crested at 24.46 feet (28400 cfs) during the evening of the 25th. Minor flood stage is 23 feet. This was the highest level since January 2010 at this location.

Heavy Rain in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 08:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKY MT
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

The heavy rains caused the collapse of a roof at a Rocky Mount small manufacturing business. Authorities say the roof collapse was caused by the weight of water from rain that accumulated on the roof. In addition to the roof, the lobby of the business was considered a total loss. The CoCoRaHS site at Rocky Mount 3.1 SE received 2.78 in 24-hours ending 7:00 AM EDT. Several other rain gauges in the area also had over 2 inches.

Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 25-MAY-17 09:15:00 to 28-MAY-17 05:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: NEALS CORNERS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Roanoke (Staunton) River at Randolph (RNDV2) was above flood stage (21 feet) for several days and crested at 25.33 feet on the afternoon of the 26th. Moderate flood stage is 24 feet. This was the highest stage on the river in this area since December, 2015 when it was barely higher at 25.35 feet. Several roads close to the river were closed due to flood waters including Black Walnut Road (Route 600).

Flood in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 19:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HENRY FORK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Doe Run flooded over a low water crossing on Ashpone Road (Route 707) closing the road.

Flood in ALLEGHANY, VIRGINIA
From 25-MAY-17 07:30:00 to 25-MAY-17 13:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: WESTWOOD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The USGS gauge at Dunlap Creek near Covington (DLPV2) crested at 9.40 feet  (5250 cfs) early on the 25th, just over the Minor Flood Stage of 9 feet.

Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 23-MAY-17 08:45:00 to 27-MAY-17 11:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BOSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Dan River at South Boston (SBNV2) was above Minor flood stage (19 feet) for several days and crested at 23.15 feet on the evening of May 26th.

Flood in PULASKI, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 20:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: PULASKI
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were flooded across the county. Peak Creek was reported out of its banks and the IFLOWS gage on Peak Creek (PCRV2) crested at 8.9 feet (Minor Flood Stage - 8 ft) on the evening of the 24th.  Several parking lots were flooded in the town of Pulaski. The New River at Allisonia (ALSV2) crested at 8.79 feet (Minor Flood Stage - 8 ft.) early on the 25th. A road along the New River was flooded.

Flood in GRAYSON, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 19:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: OAK HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 150.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

In Grayson County at least eight roads were closed and up to six roads were damaged by flood waters. Winding Road near Fries was badly damaged. Several campgrounds along the New River were flooded although the New River near Galax (GAXV2) remained below flood stage, cresting at 6.21 feet (Action Stage - 7 ft.) early on the 25th. Damage estimates per VA DOT.

Flood in CRAIG, VIRGINIA
From 25-MAY-17 07:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 16:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARSHALLTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Craig Creek at Route 614 (CCIV2) rose above minor flood stage of 8 feet and crested at 8.70 feet. Route 614 (Hawkins Road) bridge was closed due to the flooding.

Flood in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 20:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: HILLTOWN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Persistent heavy rainfall in portions of the County caused flooding of several creeks including Stephens Creek. Rescue squads were called out to a home where a man, a woman and a small dog were trapped inside the structure along Ivanhoe Road with water from Big Brush Creek rising. The flood level was approximately a foot inside the home. After several attempts a woman and the dog were removed from the home, but the man chose to remain.

Heavy Rain in ROCKBRIDGE, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 07:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GLASGOW
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer at Glasgow 1 SE measured 3.60 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 07:00 EST. This was the 2nd highest May daily rainfall at this site since records began there in 1967. The highest May daily total was 4.12 inches on May 28, 1973.

Flash Flood in PATRICK, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 18:30:00 to 24-MAY-17 20:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRITZ
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Water was observed flowing over Anthony Drive (Route 692) from flooded Spencer Creek. Photos appeared to show water well over six inches deep. A nearby rain gauge, Sanville IFLOWS (SAVV2), showed that rainfall rates increased sharply around 18:00 EST with 0.63 inches falling in 15 minutes. This followed an abrupt one inch of rain in the previous 24-hours which left soils wet.

Heavy Rain in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 24-MAY-17 07:00:00 to 25-MAY-17 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BIG ISLAND
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer at Big Island (BGIV2) measured 3.27 inches for 24-hours ending at 07:00 EST. This is the highest 1-day rainfall in the month of May at this site, the old record was 2.80 inches set May 30, 1971. Records date back to 1960 at this site.