NWS: Augusta County area under severe thunderstorm watch

UPDATE: At 5:15 p.m. the thunderstorm which prompted a warning from the National Weather Service has weakened below severe limits and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However, gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

At 4:46 p.m., a severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service for Augusta and Highland counties. Locations impacted include Deerfield. A severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles northwest of Yost, or 13 miles north of Goshen, and is nearly stationary. Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

At 3:55 p.m., National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 11 p.m. Thursday for Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro.

At 11 a.m. a flood watch was issued and in effect 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon through this evening, per NWS. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.

Widespread thunderstorms are expected this afternoon into this evening. These thunderstorms will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall, with localized rainfall totals of two to four inches possible within a one to two hour period. This may result in flash flooding of small streams and creeks as well as urban and poor drainage areas.

More: National Weather Service issues flood watch: rainfall totals 2-4 inches in 1-2 hours possible

The following counties and cities in Virginia are included in the watch:

VIRGINIA COUNTIES:

• ALBEMARLE
• ARLINGTON
• AUGUSTA
• CLARKE
• CULPEPER
• FAIRFAX
• FAUQUIER
• FREDERICK
• GREENE
• HIGHLAND
• KING GEORGE
• LOUDOUN
• MADISON
• NELSON
• ORANGE
• PAGE
• PRINCE WILLIAM
• RAPPAHANNOCK
• ROCKINGHAM
• SHENANDOAH
• SPOTSYLVANIA
• STAFFORD
• WARREN

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VIRGINIA CITIES:

• ALEXANDRIA
• CHARLOTTESVILLE
• FAIRFAX
• FALLS CHURCH
• FREDERICKSBURG
• HARRISONBURG
• MANASSAS
• MANASSAS PARK
• STAUNTON
• WAYNESBORO
• WINCHESTER

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: NWS: Augusta County area under severe thunderstorm watch