CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UPDATE 7:30 PM 9/27: The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Albemarle and Nelson counties until midnight Friday.

  • WHAT: Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
  • WHERE: A portion of central Virginia, including the following counties, Albemarle and Nelson.
  • WHEN: Until midnight EDT tonight.
  • IMPACTS: Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS: At 7:01 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated that 2 to 5 inches have fallen over the Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • Runoff from that rainfall will impact the Tye River and Rockfish River in Nelson County as well as the Mechams River, Moormans River, and the North Fork Rivanna River in Albemarle County.
  • Gauges continue to show water rising across these areas.
  • Water is already approaching the yards of homes along Free Union Road by the Mechams River in White Hall.
  • Flooding impacts will continue, but no additional rainfall is expected.
  • Some locations that will experience flooding include, Crozet, Shipman, Free Union… Hollymead, Nellysford, Ivy, Arrington, Lovingston, Covesville, Batesville, North Garden, Faber, Rockfish, Elma, Flordon, Carrsbrook, Roseland, Earlysville, Tye River, and Advance Mills.

 

UPDATE 1:10 PM 9/27: The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Charlottesville and surrounding areas, including Albemarle, Greene, and Nelson counties, as well as parts of Augusta and Rockingham counties. The warning remains in effect until 7 PM this evening.

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

  • WHAT: Urban area and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
  • WHERE: Portions of central, northwest, and western Virginia, including the counties of Albemarle, City of Charlottesville, Greene, Nelson, Page, Augusta, and Rockingham.
  • WHEN: Until 7 PM EDT.
  • IMPACTS: Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Low-water crossings could be inundated and may not be passable.
  • ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
    • As of 1:02 PM, Doppler radar and rain gauges indicated heavy rainfall across the region. Flooding is expected to begin within the next few hours.
    • Between 0.5 to 2 inches of rain have already fallen, with an additional 1 to 3 inches expected. Locally heavier totals of 4 inches or more are possible along the Blue Ridge crest.
    • Areas at risk of flooding include Charlottesville, Crozet, Stanardsville, Free Union, Wintergreen, and Ruckersville, among others.

 

UPDATE: The Tornado Warning for west-central Albemarle County expired at 4:00 PM Friday without confirmed reports of a tornado touchdown. The severe thunderstorm that prompted the warning passed through the area, moving north at 40 mph. Radar had indicated potential rotation near Crozet, but no significant damage has been reported. Residents in affected areas, including Crozet, Yancey Mills, Ivy, North Garden, and White Hall, were urged to take shelter during the warning. The National Weather Service continues to monitor weather conditions closely as the remnants of Hurricane Helene continue to impact the region.

ORIGINAL: A flood watch is in effect until 8 PM this evening due to the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Heavy showers, which are expected to continue, have prompted a flood watch across the region. Meanwhile, Buckingham County is under a tornado watch until 6 PM, as southern Virginia faces the risk of high winds and storms.

For up to the minute road conditions and closures, this is the best resource: Road Conditions Table (511virginia.org)

PREVIOUSLY: The Charlottesville area has been under multiple flood warnings and watches since early Thursday, September 26, as heavy rains from Hurricane Helene have already impacted the region. By Thursday morning, Albemarle County fire and rescue had responded to multiple water rescues, with vehicles stranded on flooded roads at Plank and Oakmont Farm and Esmont Road and Wynova Lane.

The National Weather Service extended a flood warning until 6:15 PM Thursday due to rising waters from 2.5 to 4.5 inches of rain already recorded. The heavy rainfall led to numerous road closures across Albemarle, Greene, Orange, and surrounding counties.

A state of emergency was declared for Virginia as the region continues to experience flooding.