Prolonged rainfall over a 24- to 25-hour period ended around 8 AM EST on February 17th, which resulted in localized minor river flooding across portions of western Virginia. Unusual warmth during most of the river meant no frozen ground, snow cover or river ice in the area. However, MRMS CREST indicated that the ground was still 50 to 75 percent saturated from widespread rainfall during the 12th and 13th, just a few days prior. On the morning of the 16th, western Virginia was located on the south side of a stationary front draped near the Ohio River. Strong southwesterly windflow carried deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico across the area, with precipitable water values (PWATs) in excess of 1.0 inch through much of the day on the 16th. PWATs would increase to around 1.2 inches by sunrise of the 17th, just as a supporting upper level trough began to push across the Appalachian chain. Rainfall rates were generally under a quarter inch per hour on the 16th, but began to increase during the overnight hours as the trough approached, in some instances exceeding an inch per hour for brief periods of time as a few thunderstorms developed, supported by Most-Unstable Layer CAPE values increasing to over 1,000 J/Kg ahead of the approaching trough. Total rainfall amounts through the event ranged from 1.75 to locally 2.50 inches, resulting in minor river flooding along the Cowpasture, Bluestone and Clinch Rivers.  Other smaller tributaries experienced minor flooding as well.  Multiple other rivers and creeks rose to Action stage, but remained within their banks.  No flash flooding occurred.  Reported impacts were limited to flooded roads with little to no damage.

Flood in TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 09:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CEDAR BLUFF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Clinch River at Richlands, VA (RLRV2) crested at 11.22 feet (Flood stage is 10 feet).  This was caused by between 1.75 and 2.75 inches of rain over a 24-25 hour period. No snow melt or frozen ground was involved, but the ground was moist from widespread rainfall on the 12th and 13th a few days prior.  This caused flooding of several streets in town that typically flood when the river exceeds 10 feet, including along 4th Street, Britts Park Road and Alleghany Avenue near the Richlands Police Station.  Further west, Clinch River Road and Matney Lane were also flooded and impassible.  At least three automobiles were known to be flooded deep enough where water entered the passenger compartment.

Flood in ALLEGHANY, VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 17:35:00 to 18-FEB-23 04:20:00 (EST-5)
Location: IRON GATE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Burn Area
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge, VA crested at 10.40 feet (Flood stage is 10 feet).  This was a little over a 2-year event (50% AEP) per USGS Streamstats. The flooding was caused by between 1.5 and 2.75 inches of rain over a 24-25 hour period. No snow melt or frozen ground was involved, but the ground was moist from widespread rainfall on the 12th and 13th a few days prior.  Minor lowland flooding was the only impact observed.

Heavy Rain in TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 07:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: JEWELL RIDGE
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KVAJEWEL2) recorded 2.67 inches of rainfall during at 25 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 0.5 inch per hour. This amount was around a 2-year event (50% AEP) per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates. Runoff from this location flows into the Clinch River.

Heavy Rain in TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 07:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: ADRIA
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KVANORTH36) near North Tazewell, VA recorded 1.91 inches of rainfall during at 25 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 0.5 inch per hour. This amount was a 1-year event (100% AEP) per NOAA Atlas 14 point precipitation frequency estimates. Runoff from this location flows into the Clinch River.

Heavy Rain in TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 07:00:00 to 18-FEB-23 07:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BURKES GARDEN
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Burkes Garden, VA (BURV2) recorded 1.65 inches or rain during a 2-day period ending at 7 am EST on February 18th.

Flood in TAZEWELL, VIRGINIA
From 17-FEB-23 05:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GOSE MILL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The Cooperative Weather Observer at Burkes Garden reported multiple streams out of their banks during the morning of February 17th due to prolonged rainfall during the 24 hours prior.  Some of the streams were observed flowing across local roads and bridges a few inches deep.  No damage was reported and the streams receded back within their banks by late morning after rainfall ended.

Heavy Rain in BATH, VIRGINIA
From 16-FEB-23 08:00:00 to 17-FEB-23 08:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLBORO SPGS
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A personal weather station (Weather Underground:KVAMILLB8) recorded 1.67 inches of rainfall during at 24 hour period ending 8:00 AM EST on 2/17/2023. This was across ground already highly moistened from periods of heavy rain during the 12th & 13th a few days before. Rainfall rates at times were observed up to 0.5 inch per hour. Runoff from this location eventually flows into the Cowpasture River.