(WSLS 10) - Heavy rain and flooding caused problems across southwest Virginia Tuesday.
SALEM OPENS EMERGENCY SHELTER
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In Salem along West Riverside Drive, the water was rising and flooding over the streets. Even the sewers were not swallowing anymore water, causing the water to flood up to some homes.
Neighbors said they were concerned their homes will be engulf by the river. Plenty already have water damage in their basements.
The water level at the Mill Lane Bridge sat at about 5 feet Tuesday morning, but rose to 9 by the evening. An emergency shelter had been set up at the Salem Civic Center for those displaced by flooding.
PARTS OF GREENWAY FLOODED IN ROANOKE
In Roanoke city along the greenway, police blocked off roads because the Roanoke River flooded the street. It did not appear any homes were in danger Tuesday evening, but the river was approaching back yards.
To make sure the river stayed out of Roanoke Memorial, crews started working to install a flood wall. It's 7 feet high and made of aluminum.
Meanwhile, Bennington Street was flooded and crossed the greenway into the road. Roanoke city officers were directing traffic so no one passed through the water.
MONTGOMERY CO. STUDENTS STRANDED BY FLOODED STREETS
Montgomery county saw a lot of rain and flash flooding. Roads in some places were impassable, making it hard for drivers and school buses to get where they needed to go.
A lot of kids were already at school by the time waters started to rise. In some cases one lane was covered with water. The roads were impassable in other instances.
Montgomery County announced schools would close early Tuesday due to forecast flooding. Parents received notification around 11:30 a.m.
School administrators said conditions changed quickly and, looking at the forecast, they had a two hour window to get kids home safely. That gave elementary parents a little more than an hour to make arrangements for their children.
Parents that could pick up their children at school did and the school system had buses running to get bus riders home, a bit earlier than scheduled.