Minor flooding on Blackwater; warning extended

Published 10:09 am Sunday, February 7, 2010

The National Weather Service in Wakefield extended a river flood warning for the Blackwater River upstream from Franklin until Thursday evening.

At 5:45 a.m. this morning, the NWS said the Blackwater had reached 12.3 feet and that minor flooding was occurring. The forecast calls for the river to rise to near 12.9 feet by early Monday afternoon.

Floodwaters were expected to recede below flood stage, which is 12 feet for that portion of the river, by Thursday evening.

The NWS warned that when the river reaches 12.5 feet, a portion of Virginia Route 611, Joyners Bridge Road, would become inundated. The road connects Southampton and Isle of Wight counties just north of Franklin.

The weather service said minor flooding was occurring in Franklin, and also communities along the Nottoway River, including Sebrell and Stony Creek.

Two to six inches of wet snow fell across the region Saturday, the NWS said, but accumulation on roads was minimal.

The flood warning is in effect until Thursday evening or until the warning is canceled.