Richmond, Va. – Heavy thunderstorms could bring dangerous flash flooding to much of central and eastern Virginia—including Richmond, Petersburg, and Southside cities—starting Wednesday afternoon and lasting through late Wednesday night. Roads, rivers, and low-lying neighborhoods may see water rise rapidly as rain soaks already saturated ground.
According to the National Weather Service, a Flood Watch will be in effect from 2 p.m. Wednesday until 2 a.m. Thursday for nearly two dozen Virginia counties, including Henrico, Chesterfield, Amelia, Brunswick, and Prince Edward, as well as cities from Danville to Hopewell and up to the Maryland line. The watch also extends across portions of north-central North Carolina, such as Rockingham and Caswell counties, and southeast Maryland, including Dorchester and Wicomico.
Flash flooding is possible in Richmond, Lynchburg, Danville, South Boston, and into the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Key travel corridors, such as I-95, Route 460, and local low-water crossings, could quickly become hazardous. Residents in flood-prone areas should be ready to move to higher ground at short notice. Power outages and delays are possible if roads are washed out or creeks overflow.
Prepare now by charging devices, moving vehicles from flood zones, and avoiding unnecessary travel after heavy rain begins. Wednesday’s storms may produce several inches of rain in just a few hours—a risk similar to July 2021’s flash flooding.
Flood Watches remain in effect until early Thursday. Additional advisories and possible Flash Flood Warnings could be issued as conditions develop.
