Danville gets much-needed rain, should see little flooding

The Danville area received much-needed rain from remnants of Tropical Storm Fay, but without most of the headaches.

The city of Danville recorded 5.21 inches of rainfall, according to readings at the Bridge Street Station. The National Weather Service in Blacksburg said estimates as high as 7 inches in the area east of Danville to western Halifax County were reported.

“The Danville area received a much-appreciated rainfall,” Jeff Stewart, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Thursday.

Danville needed 7 to 9 inches of rain to get out of the current drought, he said. One problem Wednesday was runoff because of heavy showers that the soil could not absorb, Stewart added.

Western Pittsylvania County and eastern Halifax County got anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of rain, as did Caswell County, N.C., weather experts said.

The Dan River was expected to reach flood stage, but cause only minor flooding. Stewart said the Dan River at Paces did not go above flood stage.

South Boston, however, should see the Dan River crest at 22 feet, which is 4 feet above flood stage, he said.

“That would cause only minor flooding,” Stewart said.

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the storm, Danville Police Lt. Mike Mondul said.