The National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center forecasts show the western portions of Virginia could experience significant rainfall Friday and Saturday due to impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Pre-cursor rainfall events in the next few days combined with the remnants of Helene could lead to flooding.
The western part of the state includes the Shenandoah Valley, the Piedmont region and Southwest Virginia.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency for Virginia to allow the state to mobilize resources and equipment needed for preparedness, response and recovery efforts.
“Even though the largest impacts of Helene are predicted to the south and west of us, we cannot ignore the fact that we have had significant flooding events arise from pre-cursory rain events and outer bands from tropical systems that drop locally heavy rainfall leading to flooding, especially in our southwestern region,” said Youngkin. “It is critical that we remain vigilant, understanding that tracks and impacts can shift.
“As high winds and heavy rains are predicted for parts of Virginia, we urge everyone to stay informed through trusted resources and follow the direction of your local officials,” he said.
The Virginia Emergency Support Team stands ready to support affected localities and is actively monitoring the situation to coordinate resources and information, Youngkin said.
Recommendations for Virginians
Virginians can take several steps to be ready in the event of flooding:
- Make a plan. Plan in advance a route to a safe place, how you will stay in contact with family and friends, and what you will do in different situations.
- Prepare an emergency kit. Put together emergency supplies to sustain your household before, during, and after the storm.
- Stay informed. Virginians should follow the Virginia Department of Emergency Management on social media for preparedness updates and their local National Weather Service office for the latest weather forecast, advisories, watches or warnings.
- Use a battery-operated radio. Power outages are always a concern during weather events—make sure you have a battery-operated radio available so you can still receive life-saving alerts.
Links
- Planning resources
- Prepare an emergency kit
- Preparing your business, your family, and your property against hurricane threats
- Virginia Department of Emergency Management updates on X
- Virginia Department of Emergency Management updates on Facebook
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Crystal Graham
