Hurricane Helene will impact Augusta County starting early Friday morning: NWS flood watch

National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro.

The remnants of Hurricane Helene will impact the area early Friday morning through Friday evening. Heavy rainfall is likely along and just east of the Blue Ridge, and across parts of the Central Shenandoah Valley and surrounding high terrain. Rainfall amounts of one to three inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible.

WHEN: Overnight Thursday through Friday evening.

WHAT: Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.

WHERE: Portions of central, northwest, and western Virginia, including the following areas, in central Virginia, Albemarle, Central Virginia Blue Ridge, Greene and Nelson. In northwest Virginia, Madison, Northern Virginia Blue Ridge and Rappahannock. In western Virginia, Augusta, Eastern Highland and Western Highland.

IMPACTS: Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. Low-water crossings may be flooded.

Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information.

More: Helene builds up strength in Gulf prepping for landfall. What does that mean for Virginia?

More: What's being built on Tinkling Spring Road in Fishersville? And on Route 11 near Greenville?

National Weather Service forecast for Staunton

Thursday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming southeast around six mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday night

Showers likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low around 66. Light east wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. High near 72. East wind seven to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind five to eight mph becoming calm after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday

A chance of showers, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday night

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday

Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday night

Showers likely, mainly before 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Hurricane Helene will impact Augusta County starting early Friday morning: NWS flood watch