Northern Virginia dug in Tuesday for what could be another pounding of rain and floods, the next chapter in the record-breaking summer storm.
The National Weather Service predicted between 3 and 5 inches of rain would fall on grounds already saturated by deluges during the past two days. Between 6 and 8 inches were possible in isolated areas, said NWS meteorologist Luis Rosa.
“It’s going to definitely be bad,” Rosa said. “The ground cannot hold any more water.”
The Potomac River threatened to swell at high tide Tuesday evening, prompting the City of Alexandria to set up wooden barricades on three roads. City residents were warned to prepare their homes for high waters, which, according to the National Weather Service, could rise two to three feet above normal tides. The city remained in a state of emergency Tuesday.
Alexandria police could be called in if as much rain falls as expected, a police source said.
Along the Potomac River in the Belle Haven area, residents were ready for some flooding. The shore is at a low point, and in previous storms like Hurricane Isabel, water came up to many houses and apartments.
Traffic was slowed on Interstates 95 and 395, leading to a longer-than-usual rush hour, said Joan Morris, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Transportation. By early Tuesday afternoon, she said 36 state roads were still closed in the region, most of them in Fairfax County.
The storm is responsible for the temporary shutdown of rail and highways in recent days, and has displaced numerous families. In the Huntington area of Fairfax County, 160 homes have been declared unfit for habitation due to the flooding, according to John Wetman, an environmental specialist with the county’s Health Department. He said homes in that area, near Arlington Terrace, might be contaminated with sewage.
About 100 VDOT workers and contractors mobilized Monday night to pump water off the roads, Morris said. She advised motorists to drive below normal speeds while the storm persisted.
“If you see water, don’t even think about it,” she said. “Turn around. Take an alternate route.”
The Virginia State Police reported no highway fatalities in the region during the past few days.
Rainfall
The National Weather Service four-day rainfall totals in Northern Virginia as of Tuesday:
» Reagan National Airport – 12.11 inches
» Dulles Airport – 9.69 inches
» West Springfield – 7.18 inches
» Woodbridge – 5.68 inches
» Manassas Gap Park – 4.23 inches
