Buckingham, Prince Edward and Cumberland counties are among an umbrella of counties throughout Central Virginia that have been issued a flash flood watch between Thursday morning and Friday morning.

According to a flash flood watch advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Prince Edward, Farmville and Cumberland, “heavy rain will spread into the region starting late Thursday morning, continuing Thursday night, before ending by daybreak Friday. Storm total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected north of VA State Route 360, with 3 to 6 inches farther south.”

“This rainfall could produce flash flooding, particularly in areas of poor drainage and near creeks, streams, and ditches,” the advisory cited. “Street flooding is likely.”

In the Buckingham area, the NWS cited that “heavy rain associated with a southeast flow of moisture ahead of Michael along with a cold front to the west will cause a period of heavy rainfall on Thursday. This could result in rainfall of 1 to 2 inches across areas north of the Roanoke River through Thursday evening.”

Flash flood watches are issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur, according to the NWS.
The NWS cited that a flash flood watch does not guarantee flooding, but that flooding is possible.