FRANKLIN
The long-distance effects of Hurricane Matthew have made themselves felt in Western Tidewater. As of late Sunday morning, there was no flooding in downtown Franklin. That’s according to Capt. Tim Whitt, city police spokesman. He said that while the water has risen at the Blackwater River, it’s only gotten into the parking lot at the pier. Further, the water crested at the Second Avenue Bridge on the greenspace, but not the roadway.

The Route 58 interchange at Armory Drive has been closed due to flooding on 58E. Road blocks have been set up and traffic’s being rerouted.

“VDOT was gracious enough to do that,” Whitt said about the Virginia Department of Transportation’s response.

North High Street going into Southampton County has been closed at the city limited. The officer said the shoulder collapsed.

There is still standing water on Armory Drive in front of the Wal-Mart shopping center, but it’s passable, he said.

There have been no accidents, but vehicles had become stranded. Further, there have been no reports of fallen trees, only signage and limbs, but nothing significant.

The region is still under a flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.

In Isle of Wight County, Route 460 at Yellow Hammer Road is “completely shut down due to flooding. This area is west of the town of Windsor and east of the Blackwater River Bridge,” according to an emailed report late Saturday night from Paul Nash, a spokesman for the IOW Sheriff’s Office.

Carrsville Highway (Route 58 Business) just east of Franklin has become impassable. The same goes for Route 258 in Walters, south of Windsor.

“Numerous secondary roads within the county are impassable and driving will remain hazardous and dangerous due to down trees, power lines and flooding,” he added in the announcement.

Reports from Southampton County had not yet come in at this time.