Virginia – A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect across multiple counties in Virginia until 12:00 a.m. EDT, including areas from Bland to Wythe. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued the watch at 4:20 p.m. Thursday, May 8, due to the potential for severe thunderstorms that may bring strong winds, hail, and heavy rain.
The watch includes several Virginia counties: Bland, Carroll, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Smyth, Tazewell, and Wythe, as well as independent cities such as Danville, Galax, Martinsville, and Radford.
According to the NWS, severe thunderstorms could begin affecting these areas by early evening, with wind gusts possibly exceeding 60 mph and hail up to an inch in diameter. Heavy rainfall is also expected, potentially leading to localized flooding.
Residents should stay alert and be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions. The NWS advises keeping up with weather updates, securing outdoor items that could be blown away, and ensuring all emergency supplies, such as flashlights and batteries, are ready. If storms worsen, seek shelter indoors away from windows.
The watch is set to expire at midnight, but conditions will continue to be monitored. More warnings or watches may follow depending on storm development.
