Town of Richlands Emergency Medical Service

08/30/2026

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08/28/2026

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the
passing of Bill Patton, a former longtime member and employee of Richlands Volunteer Rescue Squad / Richlands Fire-Rescue who passed away August 28,2026.

Bill proudly served his community for more
than six decades, dedicating his life to help
ing others from 1963 through 2022. His
commitment, compassion, and unwavering
service touched countless lives he helped.

Bill's legacy of selfless service, dedication,
and community spirit will never be forgot-
ten. We are grateful for the many years he
devoted to protecting and caring for the
citizens of our community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill's
family, friends, and fellow rescue, fire dept. personnel during this time of loss.

Rest in Peace Bill thank you for your 60 years of service your watch has ended but your legacy lives on. Bill Patton, EVOC Driver #280

08/27/2026

August 27,2026

08/17/2026

Weather Alert
Special Weather Statement issued August 17 at 2:39PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Tazewell; Smyth

At 238 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from near Glen Burke to near Lebanon to 9 miles
southwest of Cleveland Va. Movement was east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Richlands...
Tazewell...
Saltville...
Cedar Bluff...
Raven...
Cliffield...
and Broadford.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

These storms may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio
stations and available television stations for additional information
and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM EDT for
northwestern North Carolina...southwestern Virginia...and
southeastern West Virginia.

08/17/2026

Weather Alert
Special Weather Statement issued August 16 at 10:06PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Tazewell; Smyth; Mercer

At 1006 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from Wenonah to near War to near Raven. Movement was
southeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Bluefield...
Princeton...
Richlands...
Tazewell...
Cedar Bluff...
Matoaka...
and Pocahontas.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Locally heavy rain will quickly reduce visibility and result in
ponding of water on roadways, standing water in low lying areas, and
minor flooding of creeks, streams, and areas of poor drainage.
Drivers are urged to slow down and use extra caution to avoid
hydroplaning.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM EDT for
southeastern West Virginia.

08/17/2026

Just a reminder from Town of Richlands EMS

School Opens This - Monday Aug.17, 2026 it is a good time to slow down.

School traffic increases the number of vehicles on specific streets at particular times. This brings congestion to certain streets. Between school buses picking up/dropping off passengers, and parents trying to drop their kids off before work, the increased traffic makes conditions more hazardous. It's important for drivers to slow down and pay attention to your surroundings, especially before and after school.

If you're driving behind a school bus, increase your following distance. This will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Once the flashing red lights are activated, traffic must come to a stop. Keep in mind that the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus. Always be alert. Children are unpredictable. In their excitement, they often forget about the dangers of traffic.

Best wishes for a safe first day back at school!

08/15/2026

Weather Alert
Flood Advisory issued August 15 at 4:03PM EDT until August 15 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Smyth, VA; Tazewell, VA

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of southwest Virginia, including the following
counties, Smyth and Tazewell.

* WHEN...Until 700 PM EDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 403 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of
rain have fallen.
- This includes the following streams and drainages...
Beaver Creek, Campbell Creek, Clinch River, Beech Fork, Coal
Creek, Big Creek and Blue Spring Creek.
Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected
over the area. This additional rain will result in minor
flooding.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Marion... Richlands...
Tazewell... Saltville...
Chilhowie... Cedar Bluff...
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area...
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

When it is safe to do so, please send your reports of flooding,
including mudslides or flooded roads, to the National Weather
Service by calling toll free at 1...8 6 6...2 1 5...4 3 2 4. Reports
and pictures can also be shared on the National Weather Service
Blacksburg page and on X.

Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. This site is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a flood event. If you know what to do before, during, and after a flood you can increase your chances of survival and bet...

08/15/2026

Weather Alert
Special Weather Statement issued August 15 at 4:39PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Tazewell; Smyth; Bland; Wythe

At 439 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Burkes Garden, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Bland...
Bluefield...
Tazewell...
Ceres...
Burkes Garden...
Nebo...
and Gratton.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

08/14/2026

Weather Alert
Special Weather Statement issued August 14 at 1:43PM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Tazewell; Smyth; Bland; Wythe

At 142 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong
thunderstorms over Tazewell, moving southeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Pea size hail and wind gusts up to 30 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Wind gusts may knock over loose objects.

Locations impacted include...
Tazewell...
Ceres...
Burkes Garden...
Gratton...
and Asberrys.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

08/12/2026

Weather Alert:
Update: Flood Watch issued August 12 at 2:01AM EDT until August 13 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Blacksburg VA

Ashe; Alleghany; Watauga; Tazewell; Smyth; Bland; Giles; Wythe; Pulaski; Montgomery; Grayson; Carroll; Floyd; Craig; Alleghany; Bath; Roanoke; Botetourt; Rockbridge; Mercer; Summers; Monroe; Eastern Greenbrier; Western Greenbrier

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.

* WHERE...Portions of northwest North Carolina, including the
following areas, Alleghany NC, Ashe and Watauga, Virginia,
including the following areas, Alleghany VA, Bath, Bland,
Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery,
Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Smyth, Tazewell and Wythe, and
southeast West Virginia, including the following areas, Eastern
Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Summers and Western Greenbrier.

* WHEN...Through Thursday morning.

* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur
in poor drainage and urban areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- Repeated rounds of rain and thunderstorms may lead to flash
flooding through midweek.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared
to take action should flooding develop.

Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. This site is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a flood event. If you know what to do before, during, and after a flood you can increase your chances of survival and bet...