STORY POSTED AT 12:30 P.M. MONDAY
Only two points monitored along the Dan River remain in flood stages, according to the National Weather Service. Those points are at Paces and South Boston. The flood warning for Danville was canceled at 11:56 p.m. Sunday.
At 10 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service in Blacksburg reported the Dan River at Paces had crested at 24.7 feet and was beginning to fall. At 24.7 feet, moderate flooding will occur. The river level is expected to fall below flood stage after midnight. Flood stage is 20 feet.
Downstream of Paces, the Dan River at South Boston is above 25 feet and is expected to crest near 26.1 feet this afternoon, which will result in moderate flooding. A rapid fall will begin starting this evening.
The National Weather Service this morning reported that Danville has received 9.43 inches of rainfall in two weeks from Sept. 21 through Sunday. The previous record for the same two-week period came in 1979 when 7.62 inches of rainfall was received. The average rainfall for the two-week period is 1.88 inches.
STORY POSTED AT 1 P.M. SATURDAY
Here is the current situation report from the city: Portions of Bradley Road and Holland Road are closed due to fallen trees and tree limbs. In addition, four utility poles were broken on Holland Road. Utility crews have replaced one of the poles and are working to replace the other poles. The work is projected to take another nine to 11 hours to complete. Currently, 150 customers on Holland Road are without power.
Bradley Road is expected to be reopened in one to two hours. Holland Road near Stokesland Avenue will remain closed while utility crews replace poles.
In addition to Bradley Road and Holland Road, Public Works tree crews have responded in the last 12 hours to reports of downed trees on Carson Avenue, Old Farm Road, Parrott Street, Westover Drive and Winslow Drive. There have been no road closures due to flooding.
In addition to Holland Road, Utilities crews have responded to scattered power outages overnight and this morning, leaving more than 200 customers without power. Power has been restored to all customers but those on Holland Road and Kemper Road.
Danville remains under a flood warning. The latest report from the National Weather Service in Blacksburg states rainfall across the Dan River and lower Roanoke River basins ranged from one to three inches in the past 24 hours, with the highest amounts over the southern and central portions of the Dan basin in North Carolina. This rainfall will lead to renewed rises in river levels, but flooding is now expected to be minor, with mainly lowland flooding and a few road closures.
At 9 a.m., the stage for Dan River near Danville was measured at 16.8 feet. Flood stage is 17 feet. The river is expected to rise to 19.8 feet this evening, and then fall below flood stage by late Sunday morning.
For the next 24 hours, the National Weather Service expects around 0.25 inches of rainfall, which will not have much effect on these rivers.
City of Danville emergency management personnel continue to monitor the weather and participate in coordination with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center.
STORY POSTED AT 4:30 P.M. FRIDAY
Here is the current situation report from the city: The latest forecast from the National Weather Service in Blacksburg calls for Danville to receive less rainfall this weekend than earlier expected.
However, significant rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches still are forecast, with periods of more moderate to heavy rainfall from late Friday through midday Saturday. The rainfall also will remain a prolonged event, with light rain expected for the remainder of Saturday and much of Sunday.
The ground is already saturated, so any precipitation will drive river levels higher. Danville remains under a flood warning for the Dan River in Danville until Monday afternoon. A flood warning means that flooding is occurring or will likely occur soon.
The Dan River is expected to rise above flood stage in Danville by midnight tomorrow and continue to rise to 25.1 feet by early Sunday morning. At this level, flooding will be moderate. This crest compares to a previous crest of 25.5 feet on Jan. 1, 2007. The record for Danville is 28.65 feet in 1996 following Hurricane Fran. Flood stage is 17 feet.
City of Danville emergency management personnel continue to monitor the weather and participate in coordination with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center. Emergency shelter teams are on standby, but it appears unlikely there will be a need to activate shelters.
Public Works Department tree removal, street maintenance and sewer maintenance crews will remain on standby this weekend for 12-hour shifts. Tree crews will clear downed trees and limbs as they occur across city streets. Street maintenance crews will place detour and lane closure signs as needed. Flooding is most likely to occur on River Street, Trade Street and Water Street. Crews have placed water pumps on River Street and are prepared to operate those pumps as needed to keep the street open for travel.
The city is no longer is under a high wind watch by the National Weather Service. Widespread power outages no longer are anticipated. Danville Utilities crews will remain on standby through the weekend.
ORIGINAL STORY POSTED 5:30 P.M. THURSDAY
The Dan River is currently at minor flood stage in Danville. The forecast is for the river to be at a moderate flood stage by Saturday morning and exceed major flood stage by Saturday evening. The latest forecast from the National Weather Service is for the Dan River to crest in Danville near 25 feet on Saturday night. The record is 28.65 feet in 1996 following Hurricane Fran.
City of Danville emergency services personnel are monitoring the weather and participating in coordination with the Virginia Emergency Operations Center. Danville Social Services is gearing up for emergency shelter operations. Bonner Middle School will serve as an emergency shelter. Coates Recreation Center and Glenwood Recreation Center will provide secondary options for shelter. We will alert the public when these shelters are open.
Danville Utilities will begin around-the-clock operations on Friday. Contract crews will arrive to assist the city’s line crews over the weekend. The dispatch operations center will have additional staffing to handle phone calls from citizens reporting power outages. Widespread power outages are expected this weekend due to trees falling over power lines because of the saturated ground and gusty winds. Danville Utilities reminds citizens to the following:
• Stay away from downed power lines, trees touching lines, and anything else that is touching a power line.
• Prepare an emergency kit that includes a minimum three-day supply of essential items, such as water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, extra batteries and prescribed medications.
• Store water in big pans and the bathtub for personal use in case of a power outage.
• Obtain cash in advance in case ATMs are down due to power outages.
• Citizens who plan to use a generator are urged to buy fuel now.
• Customers who depend on electricity for medical equipment or a mobility device are urged to ensure all batteries are fully charged each day and be prepared to evacuate with extra batteries and any charging equipment needed.
Public Works will crews be on standby over the weekend to respond to reports of downed trees on city streets. Street detour and lane closure signs will be placed as needed. Flooding is most likely to occur on River Street, Trade Street and Water Street. Crews have placed water pumps on River Street and are prepared to operate those pumps as needed to keep the street open for travel. Danville Public Works reminds citizens of the following:
• Slow down and be alert to street conditions.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If your vehicle becomes surrounded by rising water, get out quickly and move to higher ground, if possible.
• Floodwater might cut off access to roads. Be prepared to stay where you are until floodwaters recede.
• Determine in advance the safest route from your home to a safe place that can protect you from high winds or flooding.
Statement from Assistant Fire Chief Steve Dishman: “We request that all citizens of Danville be aware of the weather conditions and take precautions to stay away from moving water and other areas where erosion may occur and the bank give way. We also warn drivers to not try to cross areas of flowing water where the water may be deep enough to wash the vehicle off the roadway or the roadway could be washed out. Have adequate food and water to sustain you for up to 72 hours if possible. Report any areas of damage to roads, utilities or structures to emergency management when safe to do so.”