A heavy downpour brought severe flash floods to Lynchburg, Virginia on August 2.

According to local media, a flash flood warning was issued in the evening. Fears that College Lake Dam would burst from the heavy rain prompted emergency evacuations for residents in the area, who were told to move to higher ground immediately. Authorities said that a complete failure of the dam could flood the city with 6 metres of water in just minutes.

This video, shared to Facebook by April Likins, shows the situation in a flooded parking lot.

Road closures were in place around the city and residents were advised not to drive. A temporary shelter was set up at a high school to house those in affected areas.