A complex, broken line of thunderstorms developed during the afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front producing very heavy rainfall and some embedded severe storms. Trees were blown trees onto power lines, which caused a number of power outages.  Henry County and the city of Martinsville suffered the most tree damage and power outages. Rainfall was extremely intense within the very moist environment with precipitable water over 2 inches and several boundary collisions enhancing the rainfall. The highest amounts occurred in the City of Lynchburg and adjacent parts of Campbell County where radar estimated 4 to 6 inches of rain in several hours which was confirmed by several rain gages.

Flash Flood in LYNCHBURG (C), VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 16:15:00 to 03-AUG-18 03:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: (LYH)GLENN FLD LYNCH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 18.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Extreme rainfall of 4 to 6 inches in several hours produced widespread flash flooding in the City of Lynchburg. The first reports began around 515 PM local time (415 PM EST) and continued for several hours with numerous roads closed by water running over them, vehicles flooded, water rescues and several properties flooded or threatened.  Several apartment complexes and nearby cars were flooded. The runoff into College Lake caused water to overflow the dam (which is also Lakeside Road) to a depth of at least 12 to 18 inches and into Blackwater Creek. The overtopping is considered a partial failure of the dam but a  complete failure of the structure was possible. This resulted in a Flash Flood Warning for a dam failure and subsequent evacuation of about 120 homes in the downstream watershed of Blackwater Creek. According to local City officials flood damage exceeded $18 million in roads, property and water control structure damages, the biggest to College Lake Dam.

Heavy Rain in LYNCHBURG (C), VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 08:00:00 to 03-AUG-18 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LYNCHBURG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS station at Lynchburg 2.5 NNW (VA-LYC-1) measured 6.00 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 800 AM EST on the 3rd. According to local mesonet stations and NWS radar most of the rain fell during intense storms over about a 3-hour period between 500 and 800 PM on August 2nd. For a 24-hour period this is roughly a 25-year rain event (.04 annual exceedance probability) but much more extreme (near 1000-year event) for the approximately 3-hour duration of the rain.

Heavy Rain in LYNCHBURG (C), VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 08:00:00 to 03-AUG-18 04:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: LYNCHBURG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A CoCoRaHS station at Lynchburg 1.3 SSW (VA-BD-19) measured 6.05 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 330 AM EST on the 3rd. According to local mesonet stations and NWS radar most of the rain fell in intense storms during about a 3-hour period between 500 and 800 PM  late afternoon and evening on August 2nd. For a 24-hour period this is roughly a 25-year rain event (.04 annual exceedance probability) but much more extreme (near 1000-year event) for the approximately 3-hour duration of the rain.

Thunderstorm Wind in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 15:50:00 to 02-AUG-18 16:12:00 (EST-5)
Location: PRESTON
Magnitude: 60.00 EG
Property damage: 110.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down at least twenty trees in a swath of damage through Henry County and the city of Martinsville from 3:50 PM EST to 4:12 PM EST.  Over 2,000 residents lost power due to the trees falling on power lines.  Additional locations in Henry County that suffered power outages included Axton, Chatmoss, Collinsville, Fieldale, Horsepasture, Leatherwood, and Stanleytown.

Thunderstorm Wind in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 16:50:00 to 02-AUG-18 16:50:00 (EST-5)
Location: CALLANDS
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 0.20K
Reported by: Post Office

Thunderstorm winds blew down multiple large tree limbs just off Sago Road in Callands.

Flash Flood in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 11:00:00 to 02-AUG-18 12:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BERRY HILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Route 880N at Stateline Bridge Road was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 18:05:00 to 02-AUG-18 20:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: TIMBERLAKE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several reports of flash flooding from the Timberlake area of Campbell County. Sunburst Road was flooded and impassable with more than a foot of water over it. Three feet of was over Timberlake and Woodhaven Road with a vehicle trapped. Buffalo Creek was well outof its banks and flooding Route 460. A swift was rescue was reported in this area. In addition, water was observed flowing over the spillway of Timberlake Dam. In the aftermath up to eight roads in the county were reported with some type of structural damage. Two homes were also reported to have been damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 17:00:00 to 02-AUG-18 17:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: TIMBERLAKE
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down two trees on to power lines in the Windcrest Manor area along Timberlake Drive.

Thunderstorm Wind in GILES, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 19:45:00 to 02-AUG-18 19:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: PEARISBURG
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 1.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Thunderstorm winds blew down two trees on Forest Hill Drive just south of Pearisburg.

Flash Flood in MARTINSVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 16:23:00 to 02-AUG-18 17:23:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTINSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

A TV viewer reported flooding at Bridge Street and Memorial Boulevard.

Heavy Rain in MARTINSVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 08:00:00 to 03-AUG-18 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTINSVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Martinsville FP COOP (MARV2) measured 1.93 inches for the 24-hour period ending at 8 AM EDT on the 3rd. This was the highest ever for this date, with nearly complete data back to 1931.

Flash Flood in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 02-AUG-18 19:00:00 to 02-AUG-18 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: FOREST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

There were several reports of roads washed out or overtopped in the Forest area  including Spring Lake Road, Bethel Church Road, Terry Place and Goose Hollow Road.