High flood water in South Boston closes Route 501

It certainly isn’t the first time Route 501 in South Boston has ended up under the Dan River. One sign reads “Road Subject to Flooding.”

What was once a road bustling with traffic became a ‘no man’s land’ and was closed for high water.

Dozens parked where they could to get a good look.

“It’s rather high. I’ve seen it worse. It has been all the way out to 58,“ said Virginia Greene.

The intersection at U.S. 58 and Route 501 is covered in shallow water but head farther down 501 and it only got deeper.

The water reached one car’s hood and even reached near the top of some mailboxes.

“Wow, I couldn’t believe it. I saw that car behind me over there,” said Johnnie Lacks.

It’s a flooded road that happened within hours.

“I was down this way yesterday morning and all through here you could walk all the way down. This morning I came down and it was up here,” said Clifton Peck.

The South Boston Police Department said businesses were evacuated on Friday afternoon, but it took a couple hours for everybody to leave.

As the river rushed forward, people who live downstream says it’s coming their way, hoping any homes stay clear.

Kirby Saunders, the Emergency Services Coordinator, said the river already crested in South Boston. After the water recedes, they need to do damage assessments to the road before they can open up Route 501.

Saunders said 11 businesses were affected by the flood and most of them did have damage. Fortunately, no homes in South Boston have been evacuated.