40 years after Flood of 1985, Roanoke County leaders reflect on lessons learned, push for preparedness

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - The Flood of 1985 caused catastrophic damage across Southwest Virginia, washing out bridges, roads and neighborhoods. Nearly 40 years later, Roanoke County officials are reflecting on that disaster while highlighting how emergency response has changed since then.

Since 1985, state code has changed to require every locality to have an emergency manager and coordinated plan. Virginia now has emergency staff spread across seven state divisions, with mutual aid agreements and intergovernmental partnerships in place to support jurisdictions in need.

“Disasters do not know boundaries,” said Mike Guzo with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “Partnership and collaboration are so important.”

Local and state emergency management leaders say one of the bi