DANVILLE, Va. – The Dan River is rising slowly. At 5:45 a.m., the river level was at 25.06. Moderate flood stage is 26 feet.

The National Weather Service is now projecting the Dan River will crest early Friday evening at 31.5 feet, just below the major flood stage of 32 feet. If the projections hold, the crest still would be the highest on record since the river gauging station was moved to its current location in 1996.

National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Sporer says low lying areas along the Dan will see flooding through Saturday and perhaps into Saturday night as the river gradually falls below flood stage.

Sporer says the heavy rains over the past two days were caused by a combination of factors that “created a recipe for widespread flooding.” Tropical Storm Eta and an approaching cold front from the west dumped heavy rains over the entire region. And with the ground already saturated, creeks, rivers and streams are leaving their banks.

River Street and Memorial Drive remain open this morning. Goodyear Boulevard from the Danville Expressway to Jenny Lane is closed due to flooding. Trade Street from Advance Street to the Danville Stadium Cinemas is closed. Additional road closures are anticipated as the river continues to rise Friday.

Many of Virginia’s rivers were swollen by heavy rain, creating the threat of flooding in some portions and prompting rescues from high water elsewhere in the state. Officials in Richmond closed two gates on the city’s floodwall, the first time that has happened since 1999. A forecast from the National Weather Service says the James River is expected to crest at 18.5 feet at one of Richmond’s gauges on Friday.

To the west, low-lying points of the Roanoke Valley were flooded and several drivers had to be rescued from high water after heavy rains fell over the region.