News

BREAKING: Flooding in Old Town as Potomac River nears high tide

Staff from Alexandria Toyota desperately piled sandbags in front of Chadwicks (203 Strand Street) as floodwaters started to swell and shut down several blocks of Old Town.

The National Weather Service has issued an areal flood warning for Alexandria, in addition to a coastal flood warning in place until Saturday.

Around 2:15 p.m., Strand Street and parts of Union Street were closed due to high floodwaters, with police and city staff warning drivers to turn back. Waters are expected to continue rising until high tide around 3:30 p.m.

Potomac River water levels (photo via NOAA)

Around the waterfront, locals helped pile sandbags in front of businesses and watched as water levels crept higher.

Several businesses and institutions closer to the waterfront, like the Torpedo Factory, were closed.

https://twitter.com/TorpedoFactory/status/1454124664188514317

About the Author

  • Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.