Occasional showers increase flood risk early this week

21 tornado warnings, dozens of flash flood alerts, and wind tastes that neared hurricane strength at times — the remnants of Hurricane Helene will bring days of cleaning up and drying out as residents wait for power to be restored.

Here is a sampling of rain totals from Thursday-Saturday:

Note: This doesn’t include rainfall prior to Thursday

Thursday-Saturday rain totals(WDBJ7 Weather)

RIVER LEVELS

The Roanoke River crested 3 feet above flood stage late Friday. It is now below flood stage.

Flooding reached Major Stage along area gauges along the New River with some of the worst flooding in decades. Gauges along the upper New River Basin reached the second-highest crest on record.

We’re tracking improving river levels as we wrap up the weekend.

CLICK BELOW FOR UPDATED LEVELS

CONFIRMED TORNADOES

The National Weather Service in Blacksburg sent survey teams to Pittsylvania and Bedford counties Saturday to access storm damage.

In Pittsylvania County, they confirmed an EF-2 tornado touched down in Dry Fork. The tornado was on the ground for approximately 18 minutes.

In Bedford County, they confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down near Dickerson Mill Road. The tornado was on the ground for about five minutes.

SUNDAY

The remnant moisture from Helene has been sitting to our west, but will start to shift eastward over the next few days. Expect passing showers and isolated rumbles of thunder throughout Sunday. Some locally heavy downpours are possible.

Highs will be in the 60s and 70s under a cloudy sky.

The ground is saturated after days of rainfall, so there is an increased risk of flash flooding on Sunday and Monday. Watch for water runoff or pooling water.

Flash flooding is possible Sunday and Monday.(WDBJ Weather)

MONDAY & TUESDAY

Waves of showers will continue through the first part of the week. We can’t rule out an isolated storm either. Watch for localized flash flooding and water runoff.