A weak frontal boundary located near the I-64 corridor provided the focus for repeated thunderstorm activity through the evening across several counties. A broad area of low pressure over the southeastern U.S. pulled very high moisture into the region allowing the slow-moving storms to be efficient rainfall producers. Rainfall amount were generally 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher totals indicated by radar in the heavier cores occurring over a several hour period.

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

Flooding closed the intersection of Copper Cove and Valleyview Roads.

Heavy Rain in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 07:00:00 to 17-MAY-18 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAVE SPG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The CoCoRaHS observer at Cave Spring 2.4 SSW had a 24-hour total of 4.53 inches. This is just below the 0.1 annual chance rainfall or nearly a 10-year recurrence interval.

Heavy Rain in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 07:00:00 to 18-MAY-18 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: STEWARTSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The CoCoRaHS observer at Vinton 2.6 E had 6.86 inches of rain for the 24-hours ending at 700 AM EST. This amount exceeds the 50-year recurrence interval (0.02 annual exceedance probability) for this location and duration.

Flash Flood in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 17:33:00 to 17-MAY-18 20:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: STEWARTSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Up to two feet of rapidly of flowing water was over the intersection of Hazelwood Terrace and Beagle Club Road along with a small debris flow and small tree pushed into the roadway. Spotter reported 4.32 inches of rain in less than 4 hours at the time of the report. Turner Branch Road in the Blue Ridge area was washed out and closed and a motorist was rescued from the flood waters.

Flash Flood in ROANOKE (C), VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 18:45:00 to 18-MAY-18 00:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: LESLIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

At least six roads were flooded and closed due to flash flooding in Roanoke City. Among the roads closed was Edgewood St. along Mudlick Creek, north of Brandon Road. The Peters Creek Road off-ramp from Route 581 was also closed. An automated rain gauge in the Garden City area of Roanoke had about 3.5 inches of rain in 6 hours.

Flash Flood in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 19:00:00 to 17-MAY-18 22:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LESLIE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 1 to 2 feet of water flowing across Route 116 under the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Flash Flood in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 19:35:00 to 17-MAY-18 22:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAVE SPG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

WSET reported Mudlick Creek out of its banks and flowing across Halevan Road making it impassable.

Flash Flood in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 19:35:00 to 17-MAY-18 22:35:00 (EST-5)
Location: MONTVALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Water 1 to 2 feet in depth reported flowing across Goose Creek Valley Road.

Heavy Rain in ROANOKE (C), VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 00:00:00 to 18-MAY-18 00:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: (ROA)WOODRUM FLD ROA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Roanoke Airport (ROA) set a daily rainfall record for May 17 with 2.71 inches. The old record was 1.43 inches in 1922. Official records at Roanoke date back to 1912.

Flash Flood in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 21:27:00 to 18-MAY-18 00:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: WINFALL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Water was reported covering portions of Route 501 between Rustburg and Gladys.

Flash Flood in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 17-MAY-18 19:42:00 to 17-MAY-18 22:42:00 (EST-5)
Location: HARDYS FORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Water was reported to be running over Valley View Road from an unnamed creek and into the basement of a nearby home.