Hurricane Michael, a Category 4 storm, is expected to bring a period of heavy rainfall and wind gusts between 30-40 miles per hour (mph) beginning Thursday evening into Friday.

As of Wednesday, catastrophic winds and rainfall from Michael are expected to hit the Florida panhandle and travel upward along the east coast to parts of southern and central Georgia and South Carolina.  

Remnants of Hurricane Michael are then “forecast to track across North Carolina then off the mid-Atlantic coast from late Thursday into Friday morning,” a hazardous weather advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Wakefield cited.  

A hazardous weather advisory for the National Weather Service advised that Cumberland and Prince Edward County residents can expect a period of heavy rain and minor flooding late Thursday into Friday morning, with potential for flooding over the weekend.
“In addition, a period of strong winds are expected behind a strong cold frontal passage Thursday night and Friday morning, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph possible,” the hazardous weather advisory cited.

A weather map from the NWS projected Wednesday morning that the Farmville area could receive 2.79 inches of total storm rainfall.

“Michael will be a fast-moving system, which should limit the risk for prolonged heavy rains and extensive flash flooding,” documentation from the NWS cited Wednesday morning.

Buckingham County has a similar hazardous weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service in Blacksburg.

“Will see periods of moderate to heavy rain as Michael moves by Thursday,” the advisory cited.  “Localized flooding is possible. A flash flood watch may be needed if the track changes.”

In the event of power outages, contact Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357 or Southside Electric Cooperative at 1-866-878-5514.
In the event that assistance from area first responders is needed to remove fallen trees, fire-related or medical emergencies, contact the Prince Edward County Rescue Squad at (434) 392-6973, the Farmville Fire Department at (434) 392-6543, Randolph District Volunteer Fire Department in Cumberland at (434) 392-4671, Cumberland Volunteer Rescue Squad at (804) 492-5754, Cartersville Rescue Squad at (804) 375-3399, Dillwyn Fire Department at (434) 983-3484 and Buckingham County Volunteer Rescue Squad at (434) 983-3560.
Cumberland residents can sign up for emergency notifications from the county at
www.cumberlandcounty.virginia.gov/fire-ems.

To learn how to build an emergency kit with items that include having one gallon a day for each member of the household, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, a flashlight and first aid kit, visit www.ready.gov/build-a-kit.