DANVILLE, Va. – The Dan River had risen to 19.23 feet by late Thursday afternoon and is expected to crest at 26.1 feet around noon Friday. Flood stage in Danville is 21 feet. 26 feet is considered “moderate” flood stage. If the Dan reached that level, it would be the highest crest since Tropical Storm Michael and the fourth-highest since 1996.

If the river reaches that level on Friday, expect flooding along the “S” curves on River Street in Danville; at the River District Towers (Spectrum Medical) downtown; the Dan River Church shopping center complex on Riverside Drive; Goodyear Blvd. at Pumpkin Creek; Trade Street behind Chick-fil-A; and the Riverwalk Trail.

Memorial Drive remains closed at Primrose Place due to a mudslide. Public Works crews will evaluate the situation there again on Friday morning.

Danville remains under a flash flood warning. The city also reports of ponding of water along city streets from periods of heavy rain. Remember, it is never safe to drive through moving or standing water.

Numerous Roads have been closed in Pittsylvania County. Flooding was reported on Johnson Road in Dry Fork and along Fall Creek Road in Ringgold.

Here are three fast flood facts:

o   Heavy rain can bring dangerous flash flooding.

o   Six inches of moving water can knock down a person.

o   Two feet of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.

• Since Wednesday, the city has received 2.33 inches of rain as of 3 p.m. More heavy rain is expected this evening.
• Danville is under an aerial flood warning until 2 a.m. Friday. An aerial flood warning means that excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be especially cautious at night when the threat of flooding is more difficult to see.
• Danville remains under a river flood warning from late tonight until Saturday afternoon.
• The Dan River in Danville has risen 10 feet in the last five hours. At 4:45 p.m., the Dan River level was at 19.73 feet. The flood stage is 21 feet.
• Projections for the river crest have changed from the midday report. The river is currently projected to crest at 7 a.m. Friday at 26.1 feet, which will be the highest crest since Tropical Storm Michael in October of 2018 and the fourth-highest crest since 1996.
• At 26.1 feet, river flooding will close sections of the Riverwalk Trail and sections of Trade Street and Goodyear Boulevard. Crews will pump water in the curves of River Street in an attempt to keep the street open to traffic. If closed, traffic will be detoured onto North Main Street and Old Halifax Road.
• The Public Works Department has prepositioned barricades and barriers along the sides of flood-prone streets. A crew will be on duty overnight to monitor conditions and close street sections as needed.
• Memorial Drive between Park Avenue and Primrose Place has been closed to all traffic due to a mudslide. This section will remain closed today and overnight out of caution because periods of heavy rain are expected throughout the day. The situation will be reassessed Friday morning.
• In the last five hours, Police have received nine weather-related calls, including one call of a motor vehicle accident.
• Due to inclement weather, Danville Parks and Recreation has made changes to the following programs and services:

o   Anglers Park has been closed until further notice.

o   The off-leash dog park below Carrington Pavilion has been closed until further notice.

o   Newton’s Landing Parking lot to the right of Colquhoun Street will be closed until further notice.

o   The Make Your Own Bird Feeder program for tonight has been rescheduled for next Thursday.

o   All Optimist Basketball League practices and games have been canceled.

o   Danville Public Library’s Lego League and Mad Scientist programs scheduled for this evening have been canceled.