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URGENT: Severe Storms Slam NC & VA — Live Tracker Now

URGENT: Severe Storms Slam NC & VA — Live Tracker Now

Severe Weather Hits North Carolina & Virginia: What You Need to Know (Simple Guide)

Location: Winston-Salem, N.C. | Date: Sunday (updates throughout the day)
Main Threat: Severe thunderstorms, damaging winds (58+ mph), flash flooding, and mudslides


Real-Time Storm Timeline: What Happened & When

Here’s a simple breakdown of events as they unfolded, from earliest to latest:

Time Event Why It Matters
1:43 a.m. Flash flooding reported in Ararat, Virginia (Hunters Chapel Road) Water rose fast—roads covered, fields flooded
1:50 a.m. Mudslide near Woodville, northern Surry County Ground gave way after heavy rain
7:30 a.m. Mount Airy declares State of Emergency City officially recognizes danger level
10:50 a.m. Fire crews clearing mud/debris near Riverside Park Roads blocked, cleanup underway
11:15 a.m. 4 parks + entire greenway closed in Mount Airy Riverside, HB Rowe, Tharrington Parks + Granite City Greenway
11:38 a.m. Mayor: Public Works building flooded, city trucks nearly submerged Millions in damage, vehicles possibly lost
1:02 p.m. Wastewater plant on generator; power coming back in hours Sewer system at risk, trash collection priority
1:30 p.m. Mount Airy Middle School baseball/softball fields damaged School property hit, assessments ongoing
4:36 p.m. Multiple water rescues by local crews People stranded in rising water
5:33 p.m. Surry County declares State of Emergency (includes Pilot Mountain) County-wide official emergency status

Hardest-Hit Areas: Mount Airy & Surry County

Mount Airy City Damage

  • Public Works building: "Millions of dollars in damage" — water inside, fleet trucks nearly underwater
  • Wastewater treatment plant: Running on backup generator (power expected back soon)
  • City priorities: Keep trash pickup running + protect sewer system
  • Mayor Jon Cawley: "It is a serious matter that we’re going to do the very best we can do."

Parks & Greenways CLOSED Until Further Notice

  • Riverside Park
  • HB Rowe Environmental Park
  • Tharrington Park
  • Entire Granite City Greenway (mayor says "sections are gone")

Rescue Efforts Underway

  • Pilot Mountain Rescue & EMS — helping stranded people
  • Yadkin County Rescue Squad & EMS — water rescues on Yadkin River
  • Fire crews clearing mud from roads near Riverside Park

Current Weather Alerts & What They Mean

IMPORTANT: ALERTS ARE ACTIVE RIGHT NOW

Alert Type Areas Affected What It Means (ELI5)
Flash Flood Emergency Surry & Stokes Counties (Pilot Mountain to Mount Airy) Life-threatening flooding happening NOW — not just possible, but occurring
Severe Thunderstorm Risk Piedmont Triad, Foothills, Mountains Storms with 58+ mph winds likely by late afternoon
Flood Alerts Multiple counties (see radar) Rivers/creeks rising fast — avoid low areas

How to Track the Storm Yourself (Easy Tools)

  1. Interactive RadarWXII 12 First Warning Radar
    • Turn on lightning layer to see strikes
    • Check 24-hour rainfall totals layer
  2. Weather Alerts PageCurrent Alerts
  3. Download the AppWXII 12 Mobile App
  4. Share Your PhotosuLocal North Carolina Facebook Group
  5. Check TrafficTraffic Info
  6. Report ClosingsClosings & Delays
  7. Live SkyCamsView Cameras

Safety Steps: What to Do RIGHT NOW

CALLOUT: IF YOU’RE IN AN AFFECTED AREA, FOLLOW THESE STEPS

  1. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED ROADS — 6 inches of water can knock you down; 12 inches floats a car
  2. STAY OFF CLOSED PARKS/GREENWAYS — Ground unstable, paths washed away
  3. KEEP PHONE CHARGED — Emergency alerts + contact family
  4. STAY INSIDE IF POSSIBLE — Wait for "all clear" from officials
  5. HAVE A "GO BAG" READY — Meds, docs, water, flashlight, charger
  6. MONITOR LOCAL NEWS — WXII 12, NOAA Weather Radio, official social media
  7. IF TOLD TO EVACUATE — GO IMMEDIATELY — Don’t wait, don’t pack much

Summary: Key Takeaways

  • Two States of Emergency declared (Mount Airy city + Surry County)
  • Life-threatening flash flooding hit overnight — rescues ongoing
  • Millions in damage to Mount Airy Public Works; wastewater plant on generator
  • All Mount Airy parks + greenway CLOSED — some paths destroyed
  • More severe storms expected late Sunday afternoon — 58+ mph winds possible
  • Mudslide reported in northern Surry County
  • School property damaged at Mount Airy Middle School
  • Stay alert, stay off roads, monitor official sources

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: What’s the difference between a "Flash Flood Watch" and "Flash Flood Emergency"?

A: Think of it like a traffic light:

  • Watch = Yellow light — Conditions are right for flooding. Be ready.
  • Warning = Red light — Flooding is happening or imminent. Act now.
  • Emergency = Flashing red + sirensLife-threatening flooding occurring RIGHT NOW. This is the highest level.

Q: My area isn’t listed, but it rained hard. Am I safe?

A: Not necessarily. Flash flooding can happen miles from where rain fell. Creeks rise fast. Check the radar link above and look at your local waterways. If water covers the road — turn around, don’t drown.

Q: When will parks reopen?

A: "Until further notice" means officials must:

  1. Wait for water to fully recede
  2. Inspect for hidden damage (undermined paths, unstable trees, contamination)
  3. Repair or declare safe
    Check Mount Airy Parks & Rec official page for updates.

Q: Is tap water safe in Mount Airy?

A: The wastewater plant is on generator but drinking water (tap) is separate. Unless officials issue a boil-water notice, tap water should be fine. Watch for official announcements.

Q: How can I help?

A:

  • Stay home — Don’t become a rescue statistic
  • Donate to local orgs (Red Cross, Salvation Army, local shelters)
  • Check on neighbors (especially elderly/disabled) — by phone/text if roads bad
  • Share ONLY verified info — No rumors

Quick Links Recap

Need Link
Live Radar + Layers WXII Interactive Radar
Current Alerts Weather Alerts Page
Full Forecast Latest Forecast
Traffic & Roads Traffic Info
Report Closings Closings/Delays
Live Cameras SkyCams
Mobile Alerts Download App

Stay safe, stay informed, and look out for each other.
This article compiles real-time reports from WXII 12 News. Conditions change fast — always check the live links above for the latest.

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