7:00 pm UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has extended the Tornado Watch until 7:00 am Friday, August 9 for Lynchburg, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, and areas to the east.
5:30 pm UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Flash Flood Warning for City of Roanoke, City of Salem and Roanoke County until 1:30 am Friday.
3:00 pm UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Blacksburg has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford County, Buckingham County, Campbell County and the City of Lynchburg until 10:30 pm Thursday, August 8.
A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding IS occurring in some spots.
The remainder of our listening area remains under a Flood Watch, which means flooding is possible.
Earlier:
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch until 8:00 pm Thursday for Lynchburg, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Halifax, and areas to the east as Tropical Storm Debby moves into the area dropping 3" to 6" of rain, with locally heavier amounts in the mountains.
Meteorologist Will Stafford of ABC 13 - WSET tells us:
Rain will increase as we head through Thursday, a good chunk of that rain will be heavy, some will be wind-driven rain and the threat of a tornado warning or two, while low, is present.
The evening commute will be wet and there will be pockets of flooding on the way home. Please use caution.
Debby’s rain will continue through the afternoon and evening. When the rain finally stops, 3-6” of rain should do it for most backyards.
Flooding is the main concern today. We’re under a rare high risk for flooding as we head into the day.
Wind won’t be terrible but because the ground is already saturated it won’t take much wind to knock down trees and powerlines.
Finally, the tornado threat is low, but not zero. The best chances to see a brief spin-up this afternoon and evening will be east of Rt. 29.
Rain continues tonight, gradually tapering off in coverage and intensity. Please avoid being out tonight. There will be flooding and with the loss of daylight, you may not see it.
Friday rain lingers in the morning, we start to dry by the afternoon outside of some widely scattered storms developing.
A bigger concern will be the river levels.
Several rivers are forecast to crest in moderate flood stage between Friday evening and Saturday evening.
Keep up-to-date on weather conditions with our media partner, ABC 13 - WSET, and our iHeartRadio Roanoke/Lynchburg Storm Center page.