The Public Works Department is prepositioning barricades and barriers along the sides of flood-prone streets in the city because of flooding that is expected to occur along the Dan River from heavy rain locally and upstream.
Also, residents and visitors are urged to proceed with caution today when driving because of a flash flood warning issued by the National Weather Service and ponding of water along city streets from periods of heavy rain. The flash flood warning is in effect until 5:45 p.m.
The Dan River is expected to reach minor flood stage overnight. A Public Works crew will be on duty overnight to monitor conditions and close street sections as needed. At 11:45 a.m. Thursday, the Dan River level was at 9.3 feet in Danville. The flood stage is 21 feet.
The river is currently projected to crest at midday Friday at 25.4 feet, which will be the highest crest in two years and the fifth-highest since 1996.
At 25.4 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.
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.
