Heavy Rain Triggers Flood Advisory in Chesterfield County
TL;DR: The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for Chesterfield County on July 22, 2026 as thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall, with minor flooding expected in low-lying and poorly drained areas.
Quick facts
- Who: National Weather Service Wakefield, VA; Chesterfield County residents
- What: Flood Advisory issued for heavy rainfall from thunderstorms
- When: July 22, 2026, 7:33 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
- Where: Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, and Hopewell
The story
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for Chesterfield County late Wednesday evening as intense thunderstorms swept across central Virginia, bringing rapid rainfall to areas already at risk during an active severe weather period.
Beginning at 6:45 PM on July 22, thunderstorms moved into the region, producing 0.5 to 1 inch of rain by 7:33 PM, with meteorologists forecasting an additional 0.5 to 1 inch through 8:15 PM. The advisory remained in effect until 9:30 PM EDT. The National Weather Service warned of minor flooding likely in low-lying areas and places with poor drainage systems, including Chester, Matoaca, Meadowville, Bellwood, Ettrick, Fort Lee, and Virginia State University.
Residents were advised to avoid flooded roadways, with the National Weather Service's standard warning: "Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads" and to remain alert as water levels continued to rise during the storm.
The advisory affected not only Chesterfield County but also the cities of Colonial Heights and Hopewell, which faced similar flooding threats from the heavy downpours.
Key players
- National Weather Service Wakefield: Issued Flood Advisory
Key dates
- 2026-07-22: Flood Advisory issued for Chesterfield County, effective 7:33 PM to 9:30 PM EDT
Why it matters: Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms poses an immediate threat to safety and property in low-lying and poorly drained areas across the county, requiring residents to remain vigilant and avoid flooded roads during storms.
Places
- Chester
- Matoaca
- Meadowville
- Bellwood
- Ettrick
- Fort Lee
- Virginia State University
- Colonial Heights
- Hopewell
Development timeline
- 2026-07-22Thunderstorms begin across central Virginia: Heavy rain begins at 6:45 PM EDT, producing 0.5-1 inch of rainfall by 7:33 PM [[source]](https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.7459b68a37ca2627b2a90f95e83e306cbd9d50c6.001.1)
- 2026-07-22Flood Advisory issued: National Weather Service issues Flood Advisory for Chesterfield County at 7:33 PM EDT, effective through 9:30 PM EDT [[source]](https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn:oid:2.49.0.1.840.0.7459b68a37ca2627b2a90f95e83e306cbd9d50c6.001.1)
Related links
Read the original at NWS Weather Alerts →
Sources
- National Weather Service Flood Advisory - July 22, 2026
- Chesterfield County Storm Information
- Weather Underground - Chesterfield, VA Severe Weather Alerts
- Flood Watch in Effect for Chesterfield Through Midnight