That was not the case 35 years ago as one of the worst weather disasters in this region’s history unfolded, the Flood of ’85. The flood killed 10 people in the Roanoke Valley and damages were estimated at $225 million. The culprit for the heavy rain and flooding? Rainfall totals from the Flood of '85 (WSLS)All of that rain caused area rivers to rise, especially the Roanoke River. For perspective, our heavy rain back in May caused the river to crest at under 16 feet.

ROANOKE, Va. Those of you that were around here in November of 1985 know that flood to be the benchmark rain event in the Roanoke Valley. This, for Roanoke, is the second-wettest four-day stretch of weather weve had since that benchmark flood. The Roanoke Valley, in its 108-year history of weather records, has never had three straight days of 2 of rain. Comparing this week's rain to Florence and MichaelLets take this one step further. Lets imagine that all that rain in the City of Roanoke fell into Olympic-sized swimming pools.