News Flash

(September 17, 2018) At 4:00 p.m. today, Roanoke County will terminate its local emergency declaration and resume normal operations. The County took a precautionary measure Saturday by declaring a local emergency which would enable the County to request state and federal resources should they become needed. While additional rainfall is expected throughout the day and evening, indications are that any high water in our streams should subside in the evening hours. Public safety personnel will continue to observe water levels and travel throughout neighborhoods to note any issues.

Over the past week public safety personnel closely monitored weather forecasts and flood-prone areas across the County. Personnel reported some minor flooding and road closures overnight Sunday. A mudslide did occur overnight on Bent Mountain Road but did not affect any structures. VDoT maintains the roads in Roanoke County and was quick to clear them of mud and debris. Garst Mill Park is closed at this time as it did sustain flooding. Explore Park will re-open Tuesday. Roanoke County Public Libraries will not assess fines Monday and Tuesday for late returns of books. The Bent Mountain Library branch is closed Monday as a precaution should additional rainfall today cover the road leading into the library.
  
“I greatly appreciate the dedication of our emergency management team and all our staff who worked to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Roanoke County Administrator Tom Gates. “I also would like to thank our regional partners for the excellent coordination as we planned and prepared to respond to this storm.”

If citizens need to report a non-emergency issue, they can utilize the County’s online “Report a Concern” tool. Visit www.roanokecountyva.gov.

Citizens are encouraged to prepare for the next disaster situation by signing up through the County’s website to receive “RoCo Alerts” which is the County’s citizen alert and warning system used to notify all Roanoke County households and businesses affected by, or in danger of being impacted by, a local emergency. Notifications will include important information about the event and any actions that officials are asking people to take. To sign up, see www.roanokecountyva.gov/RoCoAlert.