The synoptic pattern remained little changed from the previous day with deep moisture in place.  Several bands of very heavy rainfall pushed north from the Carolinas in the late afternoon and evening as weak area of low pressure over the southeast lifted slowly northward. The slow-moving storms were highly efficient rainfall producers that affected number of areas in southside Virginia, most notably the Martinsville and Danville areas. Rainfall totals were generally 2 to 4 inches occurring over a several hour period with isolated higher amounts.

Flash Flood in MARTINSVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 15:30:00 to 18-MAY-18 21:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTINSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 800.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Numerous roads were flooded across the City of Martinsville and several homes were flooded. The roof of a department store partially collapsed due to the weight of water. A local state of emergency was declared by the City Council in the aftermath due to the massive cleanup required. Local sources stated that 4 to 5 inches of rain fell in approximately one hour.

Flash Flood in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 13:50:00 to 18-MAY-18 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: CANA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Part of Epworth Road near Cana was washed away by the heavy rainfall.

Heavy Rain in DANVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 04:00:00 to 19-MAY-18 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: (KDAN)DANVILLE REGIONAL AIRPORT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Danville Airport ASOS measured 3.96 inches of rain for the 24-hour period ending at midnight on May 18. This was a daily rainfall record for May 18 and the 2nd highest daily May rainfall at this station. Records at Danville date back to 1916.

Heavy Rain in MARTINSVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 07:00:00 to 19-MAY-18 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTINSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer at Martinsville (MARV2) recorded 3.85 inches for the 24 hour period ending 700 AM EST on the 19th. This is the highest daily May rainfall at this long-term station, with data back to 1931. The previous record was 3.17 inches set in 2017.

Heavy Rain in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 07:00:00 to 19-MAY-18 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: SOUTH BOSTON
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer at South Boston (SOBV2) recorded 3.47 inches of rain for the 24-hour period ending at 700 AM May 19. This was the 3rd highest daily May rainfall at this location. Records date from 1980 at this site.

Flash Flood in MARTINSVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 16:40:00 to 18-MAY-18 19:40:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTINSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Water was reported flowing over Spruce Street.

Flash Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 22:52:00 to 19-MAY-18 01:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: ELMO
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

A woman was rescued by EMS from her submerged car in flood waters at the intersection of Birch Elmo and Lewis Ferrell Roads.

Flash Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 19:30:00 to 18-MAY-18 22:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRYSTAL HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Difficult Creek was was out of its banks and flooding a portion of TN Snow Road/Route 739.

Flash Flood in CARROLL, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 17:29:00 to 18-MAY-18 18:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: DUGSPUR
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nester School Bridge Road was flooded by a nearby creek.

Flash Flood in DANVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 15:55:00 to 18-MAY-18 21:55:00 (EST-5)
Location: DANVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several roads in Danville City were closed due to flooding including all lanes of Riverside Drive and Arnett Boulevard. Several mudslides covered roads as well.  Parker Road near a trailer park was flooded and several mobile home isolated by flood waters.

Flash Flood in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 16:10:00 to 18-MAY-18 22:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: BASSETT FORKS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 9.20M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Severe flooding with numerous reports affected parts of Henry County, especially south and west of Martinsville. A car was pulled out of flood waters on Highway 220 south of Martinsville.

Flash Flood in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 16:15:00 to 18-MAY-18 22:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: BLAIRS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

There were numerous reports of flooded roadways from Pittsylvania County, mainly east of Danville where the heaviest rain occurred. Radar estimated up to 3 inches fell near the Halifax border. Flowing water was reported across Falls Creek Road in Ringgold and the intersection of Highway 29 and Fall Creek Road near Blair was also flooded. Water was also reported over the intersection of Reeves Mill Road and East Hightower near Kentuck.

Flash Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 18-MAY-18 17:21:00 to 18-MAY-18 23:21:00 (EST-5)
Location: CRYSTAL HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Several roads were flooded in Halifax County where a swath of 2 to 3.5 inches of rain fell in several hours. Flowing water was reported across Howard Anderson Road in the 6000 block. and also over the intersection of Philpott Road and Sandy Beach Road.