A slow-moving frontal boundary along with moisture convergence along the Blue Ridge and some modest jet stream support aloft triggered numerous thunderstorms from the late afternoon through late evening hours. These slow-moving storms produced very heavy rainfall from the Blue Ridge out across several piedmont counties. Rainfall totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches with isolated higher amounts approaching 6 inches in northern Franklin and southern Bedford counties, all of it occurring generally within a few hours.

Heavy Rain in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 06:00:00 to 23-SEP-18 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CHATHAM
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP site at Chatham (CHMV2) measured 5.10 inches for the 24 hours ending at 700 AM local time on the 23rd. This was the 6th highest daily rainfall recorded at this station since records began in 1922 and 4th highest in September.

Heavy Rain in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 07:00:00 to 23-SEP-18 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROCKY MT
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP site at Rocky  Mount (RYMV2) measured 4.56 inches for the 24 hours ending at 700 AM local time on the 23rd. This was the 9th highest daily rainfall recorded at this station since records began in 1894 and 3rd highest in September.

Flash Flood in DANVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 21:08:00 to 23-SEP-18 00:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: DANVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 2.80M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

There were numerous reports of flash flooding in Danville. A home was collapsed on Mt. Carmel Baptist Street with the residents being rescued by boat. Another person was rescued from rising waters along Riverside Drive even as others passed through the floodwaters. Up to 69 vehicles were damaged or destroyed at Woodall Chevrolet in Danville along with some building damage as water from local runoff and possibly from an unnamed stream just to the west of the dealers rose.  A nearby NAPA auto parts store was also flooded.  Four vehicles were fully or partially submerged along Timberlake Drive and Northmont Boulevard with no injuries or rescues.

Heavy Rain in DANVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 22:00:00 to 22-SEP-18 23:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: DANVILLE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station in the Woodbury Hills area of Danville measured 2.64 inches of rain in one-hour between about 1000 and 1100 PM local time and 4.17 inches in 3.5 hours. Flash flooding was widespread in the city.

Flash Flood in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 19:04:00 to 22-SEP-18 22:04:00 (EST-5)
Location: BEDFORD CITY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Water was reported flowing over Highway 122. A private bridge over the East Fork Beaverdam Creek was badly damaged from the flooded creek, shown in a video on local media.

Heavy Rain in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 07:00:00 to 23-SEP-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 (VA-RN-1) measured 5.55 inches of rain in the 24-hours ending at 0700 local time on the 23rd. Most of this fell in thunderstorms over several hours during the late evening hours of the 22nd. Flash flooding was reported in the County.

Flash Flood in ROANOKE, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 17:49:00 to 22-SEP-18 20:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: SUGAR LOAF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

There were several reports of flash flooding in Roanoke County including water flowing across Cotton Hill Road and Penn Forest Boulevard. Back Creek Road was flooded and closed. In addition, Mud Lick Creek overflowed in the Garst Mill area.

Flash Flood in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 18:49:00 to 23-SEP-18 21:49:00 (EST-5)
Location: BURNT CHIMNEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Several roads were reported to have been flooded in northern Franklin County. Little Ellie Creek flooded Sample Road near Peters Pike Road. Foul Ground Creek flooded Brooks Mill Road and a vehicle was swept away in the water but no injuries were reported. Doe Run flooded Ashpone Tavern Road.

Flash Flood in CAMPBELL, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 19:00:00 to 22-SEP-18 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: LYNCH STATION
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Riverbend Road in Altavista and Johnson Creek Road were flooded and closed.

Flash Flood in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 20:20:00 to 22-SEP-18 21:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: SONTAG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Doe Run flooded Ashpone Tavern Road near Doe Run Road.

Heavy Rain in FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 07:00:00 to 23-SEP-18 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BOONES MILL
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

The CoCoRaHS observer at Boones Mill 5.5 E (VA-FR-15) measured 5.24 inches of rain in the 24-hours ending at 0700 local time on the 23rd. Most of this fell in thunderstorms over several hours during the late evening hours of the 22nd. Flash flooding was reported in various locations across the county.

Flash Flood in PITTSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 21:08:00 to 23-SEP-18 00:08:00 (EST-5)
Location: KENT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

There were several reports of flash flooding in the county including water over Highway 58 near Cloverdale Lumber. County Road 729 southeast of Keeling was washed out and a vehicle stuck in the water and another vehicle was stuck in high water along Little Sandy Creek. On Twitter the public tweeted that a bridge on Birch Creek Road off Route 360 was flooded. News reports said 13 roads were closed in the county, some sustaining heavy damage.

Flash Flood in MONTGOMERY, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 23:33:00 to 23-SEP-18 05:33:00 (EST-5)
Location: ALLEGHANY SPG
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

State Route 755, Persimmons Road was closed by flooding. The nearby South Fork Roanoke River gage at Shawsville  (SHA 2) crested at just over Minor flood stage of 5 feet, altough it is not clear if this flooding was related.

Flash Flood in HALIFAX, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 22:48:00 to 23-SEP-18 02:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: BARKSDALE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Calvary Road (Route 119) near Alton was flooded by swift-moving water and closed.

Flash Flood in GILES, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 20:30:00 to 22-SEP-18 23:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: RICH CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Extensive flooding occurred in the Rich Creek with the downtown area flooded. Some mudslides were reported along Route 460 between Narrows and Rich Creek. State Line Road was flooded and closed.

Heavy Rain in BEDFORD, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 06:00:00 to 22-SEP-18 06:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BEDFORD CITY
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP site at Bedford (BEDV2) measured 3.95 inches for the 24 hours ending at 700 AM local time on the 23rd. This was the 4th highest daily rainfall recorded at this station in the month of September with  rainfall records from 1893-1902, 1931-2005 and 2017-present.

Flash Flood in MARTINSVILLE (C), VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 21:30:00 to 23-SEP-18 00:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: MARTINSVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

Spruce Street in Martinsville was closed due to flooding.

Flash Flood in HENRY, VIRGINIA
From 22-SEP-18 21:46:00 to 23-SEP-18 00:46:00 (EST-5)
Location: STOCKTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: 911 Call Center

The County dispatch center reported Jones Ridge Road (Route 616) closed due to flooding.

Flood in SALEM (C), VIRGINIA
From 23-SEP-18 07:00:00 to 23-SEP-18 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Location: SALEM (C)
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Roanoke River IFLOWS gage at Salem Pump Station (SPSV2) rose above the minor flood stage of 7 feet on the morning of the 23rd and crested at 9.5 feet toward midday. The Mill Lane bridge was closed and flooding occurred along portions of Riverside Drive.