What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning Issued by the National Weather Service?

  • Flash Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
    Flash Flood Warnings are changing to an Impact-Based format to improve public response. Read the factsheet.
  • Flood Warning: Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
  • Flood Advisory: Be Aware: A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.
  • Flood Watch: Be Prepared: A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.

Sign up now for Nelson County Emergency Alert Notifications (If you have any questions about signing up for Emergency Notifications, please contact Nelson County Director of Emergency Services John Adkins: Phone: 434-263-7045 Email:

State and Federal Contacts:

 Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM):vaemergency.gov | (Facebook) VAemergency | X – (formerly Twitter) @VDEM

 Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) 511Virginia.org | (Facebook) VirginiaDOT | ( X ) @VaDOT

 Virginia State Police (VSP) vsp.state.va.us | (Facebook) VirginiaStatePolice | ( X ) @VSPPIO

 National Weather Service (NWS) ( X ) @NWSWakefieldVA @NWS_BaltWash @NWSBlacksburg

 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) fema.gov and ready.gov | (Facebook) FEMA | ( X ) @FEMA @FEMARegion3

VDOT: (including trees in the roadway)

·     Report a Road Problem – click here.

·     Click here for All Traffic Alerts for Lynchburg District – Includes Nelson County

Power Companies:

Dominion Energy Information

Central Virginia Electric Cooperative Information

AEP Information