Floodwaters Close Schools, Roads In Virginia

RICHMOND (AP) – Secondary roads in many areas of Virginia were impassable and school systems in at least seven counties canceled classes Monday because of flooding caused by heavy rain.

Flood warnings were in effect for parts of central, northern, northwestern and southwestern Virginia.

The National Weather Service said several rivers left their banks Monday morning, including the Roanoke, Dan, New and South rivers.

Portions of several secondary roads in many areas, largely west of U.S. 29 and along Interstate 81 in the Shenandoah Valley, were impassable because of floodwaters, the Virginia Department of Transportation said.

A mudslide shut down all lanes of Va. 666 in Roanoke County, VDOT said.

In Albemarle County, the Scottsville volunteer fire department pumped water into the James River to keep the town from flooding. Capt. Randy Woodson said the Mint Creek Reservoir flooded from the heavy rains, and pumping began shortly after 8 a.m. Monday.

Schools were closed in Augusta, Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, Orange, Rappahannock and Rockingham counties. Charlottesville delayed classes by two hours.

No injuries have been reported.