After heavy rains, a day of sunshine

Flood waters are receding in the county and Danville-Pittsylvania County residents can expect clouds to part for sunny weather this weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Today and Sunday should be mostly sunny with area temperatures reaching the 70s, said Jan Jackson, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Blacksburg.

The Dan River crested at 23.6 feet at 6 a.m. Friday as a result of the rains, exceeding the flood level of 17 feet, Jackson said. Small creeks and streams have also subsided, Jackson said.

Jackson predicted the Dan would fall below flood stage by midnight Friday.

Persistent rains prompted Pittsylvania County officials to declare a state of emergency in the county Thursday. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency for the commonwealth Wednesday due to high waters and flooding.

County Emergency Coordinator Jim Davis said there were no weather-related emergency situations in the county.

Virginia State Police Sgt. M.C. Davis said there were about 20 weather-related accidents in the county. None of them resulted in serious injuries, Davis said.

There were 26 reported road closures in Pittsylvania County on Thursday evening due to flooding and high waters, said Randy Hamilton, residency administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation in Chatham.

The number of closed roads in the county dwindled to five by Friday afternoon, according to VDOT figures.